The parable in Luke 12:16-21 that talks about the rich man, packs a lot of punch for people like me, though I don’t stockpile money, I do stockpile stuff. I always want the better lens, the better flash, the bigger camera, the lighter tripod, the faster computer. I have been extremely blessed in what I do have and I must learn not only to be content with it but also not to stockpile it, but to use it in such a way as to become rich towards God. And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods…. read more
Inspiration
As we come to the close of our 100 Days Praise Challenge, we want to thank w2wsoul.com and those who participated, gave praise shout outs, and shared their artwork. We continue to give God thanks and praise for the things he has done in our lives, because we really and truly cannot stop giving praise to God. Praise should be a part of our daily lives and should encompass all that we do. Living a life that is surrendered totally to Christ is our ultimate offering of praise. Our Praise Challenge took us through many books in the Bible and we learnt that praise can take many forms for the believer. Singing songs and hymns, clapping our hands, even jumping for joy…the list is endless. We can give glory and praise to our God with the use of our physical bodies, with our hearts and minds, and with our talents… read more
I am so happy to be a Christian; I would’ve rather not have been created, than live life without my heavenly Father. I love to praise Him. I love to sing to Him…my favorite song to sing to Him is “How Great is Our Godâ€, and that’s for the simple reason: it is the only song I can sing without butchering very badly! LOL! I am not writing this because of my easy life, actually this morning I cried my heart out and I didn’t even find a taste in my breakfast because my heart was crying inside that I could not feel anything on the outside. But we can either choose to draw closer to Him through those extremely troubling and painful times, or we can choose to drift away from Him. The Bible mentions many names, more than anyone can remember, but only few names stand out from… read more
There are times where life hits us and just strikes a nerve with us, causing a change in attitude and to recognize what really matters. We all go through struggles and it’s important that we remember to look to the right places for comfort, understanding, help, and healing during these times. This is one of those times for a particular family in my church and it’s pulling at my heart to share. The Inspiration for This Madison Davis is 6 years old. She has been battling cancer with a good amount of success since she was 4 1/2 years old. Her parents, Destry and Christy Davis and her siblings, all have a very strong faith in God, even through the struggles they have had to endure. However, a recent scan showed that the cancer has come back in multiple places including her bone marrow and a spot on or near… read more
The story of the dry bones mentioned in Ezekiel chapter 37, has been interpreted as the re-gathering of the Jews from many nations back to the land of Israel, this event happened in our time, when Israel was established as a nation in 1948. An interesting fact is that one of the first places that was excavated shortly after Israel received it’s sovereignty was the site called Masada, the last Jewish stronghold against Rome. The archaeologists that excavated Masada knew all about it, based on the writings of Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius. They came upon a synagogue on the mountain fortress, and there they found only one preserved portion of scripture, Ezekiel 37. When they uncovered this find, the discoverers wept, realizing that they themselves were these “dry bones that came to life.” At a time in which this prophecy was being fulfilled, this portion of scripture was preserved in… read more
Today I was taking a long walk in the mid-day sun, with the temperature at about 88 degrees and the wind blowing mildly in my face. About 15 minutes into my walk the thought came to mind about the cowardly act of many Christians that claim they love people and how they certainly don’t want people to go to hell yet, they refuse to be open about their faith in a way that would make a non-believer want what they have. Please, don’t make the mistake of assuming that I didn’t examine myself as well, so I’m certainly not being too critical, or judgmental. I think sometimes as Christians, we find all types of excuses to not share the Gospel ( the good news about Jesus). If the News is so good, why not share it? If we really believe that we are saved from hell and cleansed of our… read more
Every day on the subway on my way to university I pass by this cemetery, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and in the morning it looks so beautiful from outside: the sunlight going through the trees and people are walking through it. It looks peaceful so I decided last summer to visit it and take some pictures. I visited it on a beautiful summer evening but I didn’t take any pictures because the awareness of death’s reality and ugliness was all around me. (I only took one picture on my way out.) So I decided to visit the cemetery again but this time not to photograph its natural beauty but I wanted to capture the reality of death. I settled for this capture because as sure as the yellow and white lines separate so our souls will leave our bodies one day. Death is one of the most misrepresented facts of life…. read more
This is my classmate Katya who is an Orthodox Christian from Russia. Katya has an amazing voice—the best I have ever heard in real life. She can sings anything from a deep voice like Louis Armstrong in What a Wonderful World to an angelic choir voice which she does regularly at her church. She has an excellent control over her vocals even though she has never taken any singing lessons! Her voice is a true gift from God because she is a very, very talented singer and it is true joy listening to her sing. The godly women in the Bible are amazing. Just few weeks ago I was thinking about Hanna, the prophet Samuel’s mother. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 1:10-11, “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts,… read more
Have you ever read those statistics or articles about how for many people, the holiday seasons are the most depressing? Well, it is true. I am one of those people who feel lonely in the holidays. Christmas has always been the most depressing season for me, mainly because my birthday is around Christmas and I have never been fond of my birthday. But that does not mean I don’t like to be among people. Actually it is the opposite: people feel depressed in holidays because they feel that they don’t have any meaningful relationships. That’s why it is so important that we, Christians, be generous and hospitable in those times. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~1 Peter 4:9 In the holidays my family and I are sometimes invited by relatives or friends to spend it with them, but somehow I’ve always felt the happiest when I went to… read more
Recently I’ve become increasingly convinced of these two things: The depravity of my sinful nature and my lack of understanding of true Christianity. This morning the latter was yet again proved to me. Recently I started writing the personal experiences that led to me believing in the Bible and in the Lord Jesus Christ. But the more I thought about what to write the more complex my thoughts became. I even changed the title of my writing twice! I wrote pages and pages that I doubt anyone will bother reading apart from me. This morning I went to Knox College at University of Toronto to photograph it. Knox College provides theological studies and its slogan is: Knox College – Preparing Faithful Servants of Jesus Christ. My main objective was to photograph the chapel which you see in this photo. It was completely empty so after I took a couple pictures… read more
Cats are alert to all sounds in their environment, in this case a moving car. For them, being alert to a sound or smell could mean an escape from danger or an opportunity for a good meal. Today I’d like to talk to you about “Being Alert and Self Controlled”. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 God wants us to always be aware because, we have a common enemy whose name is the devil. The Bible describes him as one that prowls (move around stealthily or restlessly as or like a hunter) like a lion looking for someone (you and me) to devour. Now, does this mean that we are going to be scared all our lives, of this prowler? No, but we are going to be aware of this danger and be ready… read more
Jeremiah was a man that was greatly used by God. Before he was even born, God already had a specific calling and ministry for him. The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.† His name means “whom Jehovah appoints.†The day and age in which Jeremiah lived in was one of moral decadence and spiritual anarchy. Jeremiah lived in a day where the men and women did that which was right in their own eyes. Jeremiah lived in a day much like ours today. I plan to show you some of the similarities of our day and Jeremiah’s day, and I want to give you some simple steps that we as Christians need to take to salvage what is left of… read more
This kitten is about 3 months old (human time). Here we see her teething on a stem of a Wild Coco Yam Leaf. She was all engrossed in satisfying herself. I have other photos of her actually biting the stem. While this is all natural and safe for the kitten, it brought to mind some of our human tendencies. “I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Galatians 5:12-14 Believer and unbelievers alike, tend to get engrossed in satisfying our worldly and fleshy needs at times and tend to think that it’s the best thing since ‘sliced bread’. I spoke to a work associate once… read more
I use the DVD cover of “Romeo Must Die” , a movie released in 2000, for illustrating the sacrificial love of God. In the movie, an avenging cop seeks out his brother’s killer and falls for the daughter of a businessman who is involved in a money-deal with his father. This was a classic death for love and honor movie. In Jesus’ case, His story is unique. He avenged the wrong Satan did to mankind by giving up His life for us. The fact that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), meant that only someone perfect and without sin could die and be relieved from that death status. Jesus is the only one that could accomplish that task (Philippians 2:6 – Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:), therefore the title, “Jesus Must Die”. In the end of the… read more
One of the biggest battles Christians are facing now, is the battle against an apostate, new age, liberal thinking with the preaching that there are many pathways to God and it does not matter which god we serve and worship; because, after all, they all lead to the same place! I remember about nine years ago one of my friends left the Church because she just could not believe that our Church believed that Jesus is “the only way!”. Some non-Christians ask the question…, “what about those people who worship different gods in the remote parts of the earth and never heard the name Jesus?” The Bible proclaims in Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The Gospel is being preached to all nations, like no other time in history… read more
Drunkard Inspirational Art: This artwork should be self explanatory – at least, if you’re not drunk. If you are drunk, you will not be able to read it anyways. So, what’s my point? A drunkard must come to some clearness of mind, so that right choices can be made to quit the habit. Some folks can do it through family/friend interventions, others by just, one day coming to their senses and others, they need a supernatural intervention. Either way, the drunkard needs our prayer and patience, and at other times, even our forgiveness. Drunkards also need the Word of God which is like a two edged sword. Why would someone destroy their insides with a poison that brings pain, disaster, false joy and false hope? God need us to always be clear headed so that He can do his work through us. The next side of this equation is that… read more
Are we living our lives according to God’s standards? Are we owning up to our mistakes? Are we being children of the Most High? Everyday we are given another chance to demonstrate the love of God through our lives. We are here only for a short time, do with it as God pleases. Jesus is looking for some good ambassadors to pass on His love and Good News. Ask him for power through His holy Spirit and study His Word. Then, you shall see the fruit of the Spirit raising up in your life and other people’s lives will be affected by yours in the way Jesus intended. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you… read more
Time is Almost Up Wallpaper: Many people ask, “Are we in the last days?†Well, to be honest, I certainly think that we are. Does this belief mean that every Christian should sell what they have, quit their jobs and move to the mountains to wait on the Lord? No, because that would be un-Biblical and just plain stupid. I would say this though, it’s time for the complaisant Christians to re-evaluate their walk with God and start running the race to save as many souls as possible. The signs are all around us, in the news and in our everyday lives. One doesn’t have to look far to see that time is winding down. ” This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers,… read more
Signs and Wonders Wallpaper: Signs and wonders are what some search for today when it pertains to believing in God and trusting in Him, but if we see signs and wonders, will it turn us away from our sins and make our faith stronger? What if the signs and wonders are not reliable and the question is…, why are we searching for these signs? Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” When Jesus walked the earth, He performed many signs and wonders, He healed the sick, He gave sight to the blind and many more miracles that astonished everyone, but did everyone believe in Him?…No! This proves that signs and wonders will not satisfy our ultimate spiritual needs. 2 Thessalonians tells… read more
A Little Perspective Wallpaper. One of my first elective classes in college was Psychology 101, on the first day of class, the teacher came in and introduced himself and started an introductory speech that I found had nothing to do with the topic of psychology. He was explaining that religion on a whole, has got it all wrong and that religion teaches that they have the answer to man’s problems; he went on to say that the Bible in particular is just a book of myths and fables and we should not place our trust in it. He then went on to say that the Bible has many errors! Example, the Bible teaches that the world is flat!! Obviously I was very shocked that he was saying these things to the students. The teacher seemed very uninformed and had a lot of prejudice; he obviously did not study history. Historians,… read more
Another Gospel Wallpaper. Never before has there been such a spread of apostasy in the Christian Church, such a gross turning away from the true Gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some televangelist spread the word in such a sweet fashion, but if you are not rooted in the Gospel, you may be lead astray by comforting words or led to believe that Christ is there just to provide your every “want” in life or he is even here just to make you… Rich!! I heard a guy speaking on the radio a few days ago, he said “every time we sin we must go back, repent and be baptized, so that we can have a fresh start”..uh!?! I guess we would need to have a baptism pool installed in our back yards, because we sin every day sometimes without knowing. The simplicity of the Gospel is… read more
Blessed Revelation Wallpaper. The book of Revelation was a book I feared to read when I became a christian; I thought I would never be able to grasp it, or if I did understand it, the book would make me too fearful and I would just worry about the future. The Holy Spirit kept prompting me to read it, I finally worked up the nerve and to my surprise, the very first verses gives a promise of blessing to the reader and the person who hears the prophecies, I got excited and I eventually read the entire book. Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,… read more
Corrupt Wallpaper. Four times Jeremiah asks and answers the question, “Why?” Why are they backsliding? The answer is plain: they believe lies and will not heed the truth of God’s Word. They will not admit their sins or repent of their sins. They are happy with the superficial ministry of the false prophets (v. 11) and the right it gives them to be religious and still live in sin. “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming;… read more
A Mystery Revealed. Christ return signify the hope of those who believe on his death and resurrection. The event of His return will be so fast!! (twinkling of an eye, basically faster than the eye can blink) The dead in Christ shall rise first, then those who are alive and believe will be caught up to be with Him. It will be a mystery to those who do not believe in Christ and are left behind. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Matthew 24:40-41 explains: “Then… read more
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