October 11, 2025

THE WORD MADE FLESH

"That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:9

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, KJV)

These words launch the sacred narrative, revealing God's eternal act in perfect harmony—one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Father decreeing, the Spirit hovering in life-giving power, and the Word (the Son) executing light into being. "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). This divine utterance pierces chaos, symbolizing order, holiness, and life. The Word is no created being but God Himself, co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and Spirit, sharing one divine essence in perfect unity—distinct Persons, inseparable in nature, will, and work. As we shall see, Jesus—the Word made flesh—cannot be created, for He is the One by whom all things were made. "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). This truth echoes through the apostles' writings, culminating in Revelation's eternal light, where God and the Lamb illuminate forever.

In this blog, we will trace Scripture's golden thread: from primordial light to apostolic affirmations in John and Colossians, bolstered by the three who bear witness to Christ's deity. We will affirm His eternal nature—self-existent and divine—countering any notion of origination. For only the eternal can precede and sustain creation, as "He is before all things, and by him all things consist" (reside in) (Colossians 1:17). May this journey stir in you a glorious worship to the one true God: "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all" (Psalm 104:24).

In the opening verses of Genesis, we behold a formless void shrouded in darkness, yet the Spirit of God moves upon the waters with gentle, omnipotent purpose—preparing the canvas for divine artistry and infusing it with the breath of life. This "moving" or hovering of the Spirit is a beautiful picture of God's caring presence. Then God said, "Let there be light," and light burst forth through the Word (Jesus Christ), not merely physical illumination but a profound symbol of God's holiness dispelling shadows, deception, and chaos. This light foreshadows the ultimate redemption, where "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Isaiah 9:2), pointing directly to Christ.

The psalmist bridges this creation moment to the New Testament revelation: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6), harmonizing the Father's decree, the Word's execution, and the Spirit's breath as one God in action. John's Gospel unveils the mystery further: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). Here, the Logos—God's divine reason and expression—is not a later creation but eternally existent, distinct in person yet one in essence with the Father. Amid debates over exact phrasing, the core truth shines: This Word is Jesus incarnate (John 1:14), declaring His timeless deity when He says, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58), echoing God's eternal name in Exodus 3:14. The prophet Micah affirms the Messiah's origins: "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). In this Word dwells life itself, and that life is the light of men, radiating undimmed into the darkness (John 1:4-5)—Jesus, the eternal Word of God, through whom the Father created all things and brought everything into existence: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). He did not create Himself; He is God's Word, the uncreated Creator who holds all in being.

Yet, so much debate and argument have swirled around the precise wording of John 1:1—"the Word was God" versus alternative renderings like "was a god"—often missing the forest for the trees in theological battles that have divided believers for centuries. God does not command us to win debates but to believe in His Son for eternal life (John 3:16: "Whosoever believeth in him should not perish"), and to spread this gospel to every creature. These ongoing debates deflect from the verse's heart and the verses that follow:

John 1

3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

Jesus is God's Word; God speaks, and the Word executes. "Let there be light."

Central to this revelation is the irrefutable truth that Jesus cannot be created precisely because He is the Creator—a logical and scriptural absolute that places Him outside the realm of contingent beings. If He originated everything, He cannot originate from anything Himself, for creators inherently precede and transcend their works; self-creation is an impossibility, as "every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God" (Hebrews 3:4). John's proclamation drives this home: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). The emphatic double negative leaves no loophole—every star, soul, speck and atom owes its existence to Him, echoing the creative command in Genesis and excluding any possibility of His own making.

This eternal status unfolds richly across Scripture. His pre-existence shines in John 1:1-2, where the Word simply "was" in the beginning, not "became" at a point in time, and in John 17:5, where He shares glory with the Father "before the world was," including His role as redeeming Lamb foreordained before the foundation (1 Peter 1:20: "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you"). The child born in Bethlehem is called "The everlasting Father, The mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6), titles reserved for the eternal Yahweh. He forms all things directly, as in Colossians 1:16-17 ("by him were all things created... he is before all things"), Hebrews 1:2-3 (God made the worlds "by whom," upholding them by His power), and 1 Corinthians 8:6 ("by whom are all things"). His divine attributes include self-existent life, shared eternally with the Father: "the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (John 5-26)—not borrowed or started, but inherent like the Father's own endless existence. He is equal with God, "being in the form of God" without claiming something extra (Philippians 2:6), and holds "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).

He stands distinguished from all creatures: Angels worship Him rather than rival Him (Hebrews 1:5-6), and His Melchizedek-like priesthood knows "neither beginning of days, nor end of life" (Hebrews 7:3). Even Revelation 3:14's "beginning of the creation" means source or ruler (arche), as in Proverbs 8:22-23 where Wisdom (Christ) is "from everlasting." Explicit denials abound: "Before me there was no God formed" (Isaiah 43:10), and as the "only begotten Son" He declares the unseen God (John 1:18). Potential misreadings, like "firstborn" in Colossians 1:15, denote preeminence—not origination—as with David made "firstborn" as highest king (Psalm 89:27). Only the eternal can precede creation because contingent things (everything that depends on something else to exist, like all created matter and beings) require a cause and a starting point; God alone is independent, giving life without needing any (Acts 17:24-25). Jesus embodies this: "I am Alpha and Omega... the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8, 17-18), the eternal One who sustains all without beginning or end.

The Apostle Paul's praises to God in Colossians harmonize perfectly with John 1:1-2, exalting the eternal Son amid false teachings that would diminish Him to a mere emissary or angel. "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:15-18). Here, "firstborn" (prototokos) signifies preeminence and heirship, not creation—as God promised David, "I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27)—for the verses immediately affirm He creates those very realms, standing before and sustaining them.

The parallels with John reveal profound oneness: John's comprehensive "all things" expands in Colossians to include heavenly hierarchies and invisible powers (like angels and spiritual authorities), refuting any intermediary creators and asserting Christ's absolute dominion, as everything in the universe—seen or unseen—is made through Him alone. The agency is identical—"by him" as the instrumental cause, mirroring the Word through which God spoke in Genesis and Psalm 33:6. Yet Colossians adds depth: Creation is not only "by" Him but "for" Him, orienting all existence toward His glory, as He shared pre-world splendor with the Father (John 17:5). This sustenance—"by him all things consist"—portrays Him as the divine glue holding atoms and angels together, echoing Hebrews 1:3's "upholding all things by the word of his power." The fullness of deity dwells in Him (Colossians 1:19; 2:9), making separation impossible: If God creates alone yet through the Son (Isaiah 44:24), they are one essence, mutually indwelling (John 14:10: "I am in the Father, and the Father in me"). This unity counters heresies, affirming the Son's eternal role in planning (Father), executing (Son), and quickening (Spirit implied, as "the Spirit quickeneth" in John 6:63).

The passage in 1 John 5:7-8 (KJV) beautifully complements the themes of divine unity and historical testimony, emphasizing how God's eternal truth is confirmed in time through Jesus's life and work. Even focusing on the earthly witnesses that appear in all manuscripts—the Spirit, the water, and the blood, these three agree in one—these elements provide strong evidence against early false teachings that tried to separate Jesus's divine and human natures (such as ideas that the spiritual "Christ" only temporarily descended on the man Jesus at baptism and left before the cross). Instead, they affirm the eternal Creator's full incarnation from start to finish: Jesus came "by water and blood" (1 John 5:6), not by water only. The Spirit, who testifies because "the Spirit is truth," is the Holy Spirit who hovered in creation and continues to bear witness in believers' hearts (Romans 8:16) and through events like the baptism. The water recalls that baptism where the Father's voice declared "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17), marking the beginning of His public ministry. The blood points to the crucifixion, where water and blood flowed from His side (John 19:34), symbolizing complete atonement and proving His real, physical death for sins (Hebrews 9:12). These historical markers unite to show Jesus as the eternal "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), with direct affirmations like Thomas's cry, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28), and the Father's address about Jesus: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever" (Hebrews 1:8).

The declaration "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5) finds perfect resonance in the Word as "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9)—a oneness of essence where the Father's purity radiates through the Son. Jesus affirms, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9), making His light the visible expression of the invisible God. This shared radiance first ordered creation's dawn by separating light from darkness (Genesis 1:3-4), establishing moral and spiritual order from the void. In redemption, it exposes sin by revealing truth and convicting hearts, as Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12), drawing sinners to repentance and freedom (John 3:19-21). Eternally, it overcomes all darkness without fail or fluctuation, for God is the "Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)—unchanging in His gifts of wisdom and salvation, ensuring victory over evil and the promise of a shadowless future (Revelation 21:25).

What dawns in Genesis's spoken light reaches eternal fulfillment in Revelation, where the holy city needs no sun or moon, "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23; see also 22:5). Here, the eternal Word—once active in creation's beginning—tabernacles forever as the Lamb slain yet victorious, sharing the throne with the Father (Revelation 22:1). As Alpha and Omega, the Almighty who was dead and lives (Revelation 1:8, 17-18), He receives worship alongside the Ancient of Days, their oneness sealing history's arc. In this radiant kingdom, night vanishes, and the redeemed walk in His light, heirs of the eternal Creator who holds all together from everlasting to everlasting.

As many as receive Him become children of God (John 1:12), transformed by the One who made and sustains us. In a world where good is seen as evil, and evil as good, let the light of Jesus illuminate your path and guide you to His living water. Worship the Lamb who is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12)—for in the beginning, through the middle of time, and to the endless ages, He is the great I AM, the unchanging God who became flesh and was crucified to pay for our sins. May your life reflect His Glory, walking as children of light until we see Him face to face. Amen.

October 4, 2025

ONCE TRULY SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED

Eternal Life: The Unbreakable Grip of God's Grace, Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card

There is a truth that anchors like an unbreakable chain: once truly saved, always saved. It is the doctrine of eternal life, a divine promise whispered across the pages of Scripture, echoing God's unchanging heart. Yet, in the clamor of casual confessions and bumper-sticker theology, this pearl of grace often gets dragged through the mud. Too many voices spout "Once Saved, Always Saved" (OSAS) as if it is a spiritual hall pass, a wink at willful sin that says, "Go ahead, indulge—God's got the eraser." But oh, beloved reader, that is not the gospel's song. It is a tragic misunderstanding that cheapens the cross and mocks the resurrection. The Bible does not peddle eternal life as a sinner's loophole; it wields it as a sacred fire, igniting holy living in the redeemed soul.

Let us pause here, in reverence, and let the Word unfold this mystery. For in its light, we see not a doctrine to debate, but a reality to live—a transformation that turns "I believe" into "I become."

Picture a Father's hand, calloused from crafting galaxies yet tender as a lullaby, clasping yours in the storm. That is the essence of eternal life: not our fleeting hold on Him, but His eternal embrace of us. Jesus Himself declares it with the weight of eternity in John 10:28-29: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Here, salvation is not a probationary lease—it's an irrevocable deed, signed in the blood of the Lamb.

Paul, that storm-tossed apostle, chimes in with a chorus of cosmic defiance in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." No force—seen or unseen, felt or feared—can pry us loose. And why? Because salvation is God's present, permanent possession from the first whisper of faith. As the Savior promises in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." We have not just glimpsed the shore; we have landed there, the Holy Spirit our down payment on glory (Ephesians 1:13-14), a seal that whispers, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

This isn't presumption; it is the quiet confidence of Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God's gifts and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). He doesn't dangle hope only to yank it away. Eternal security, then, is rooted in His faithfulness, not our faltering steps. It is the freedom to exhale, knowing the One who knit us in the womb will not abandon us in the wilderness.

But here is where the misunderstanding unravels like a poorly knit sweater: true salvation does not leave us lounging in the shallows. It surges through us like a river of living water, reshaping desires and redirecting feet. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," Jesus says in John 14:15—not as a burdensome yoke, but as the natural pulse of a heart made alive. Genuine belief is not a head-nod in a crowded room; it is a root that drinks deeply, sprouting love that acts. As the Spirit stirs within, obedience flows unbidden, involuntary, like breath to the lungs. You don't think to love your neighbor; you just do, because the Spirit of God has taken hold. The Kingdom of God is literally inside you: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21. The phrase "the kingdom of God is within you" signifies that the presence and reign of God is already present in the hearts of believers. This means that the kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a transformative reality that exists within each person. It emphasizes that God's kingdom is not confined to a physical location but is in the midst of us, influencing our thoughts, actions, and relationships with others. This concept is aided by Holy Spirit inside a believer, allowing the kingdom to manifest in their lives.

Consider the Parable of the Pounds in Luke 19:11-27, that vivid imagery of stewardship Jesus weaves for expectant crowds. A nobleman entrusts his servants with silver—not to burden them, but to invite them into his ventures. The faithful do not sweat and strain; they invest, multiply, and return with abundance, their master's joy is their reward. The slothful one? He buries his pound in fear, clutching excuses like a shield. "Saying you believe is not enough," the parable thunders. Words without works are chaff in the wind: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17. Yet those works? They are not the root of salvation—they are its radiant fruit, evidence of the Vine's life pulsing through the branch (John 15:5). "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing," Jesus reminds us, but with Him? Fruit burgeons without fanfare, a quiet testimony to grace at work.

This is the Holy Spirit's artistry: Galatians 5:22-23 unfurls the harvest—"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." These aren't virtues we manufacture in gritted-teeth resolve; they are the overflow of new birth, crowding out sin's stubborn weeds. As John writes with pastoral fire in 1 John 3:6-9, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." The "seed" is the Spirit Himself, germinating righteousness that makes habitual rebellion not just undesirable, but impossible for the truly redeemed.

Ah, but the tragedy lies in how this doctrine gets hijacked. "Once saved, always saved" becomes a mantra for the half-hearted, a sly justification for willful sin: "God forgives it all, so why fight?" It is as if grace were a fire insurance policy, letting you torch the house and stroll away unscathed. Beloved, the Scriptures roar against such folly.

Paul, ever the surgeon of souls, slices through the lie in Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" We've been buried with Christ in baptism, raised to newness of life (Romans 6:4)—"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"—sin's empire lies in ruins, its scepter shattered. To rebuild it brick by brick is to deny the resurrection's power.

And Hebrews 10:26-27 lands like a thunderclap: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." This is not a whip for the weary saint; it is a spotlight on the impostor, the one who tastes truth but never swallows it whole (Hebrews 6:4-6). Those who spout OSAS while wallowing in unrepentant mud are not secured—they are self-deceived, mirrors fogged by illusion. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22. True eternal life does not breed complacency; it kindles vigilance, a holy hunger to run hard after the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

In the end, eternal life is not a static creed etched in stone; it is a living flame, flickering in the chest of every child of God. It liberates from fear's chains, freeing us to love boldly, obey joyfully, and bear fruit abundantly—not to earn our standing, but because we have entered it. The unfaithful servant in Luke's parable did not forfeit a prize he never pursued; he exposed a faith that was fiction. But you, dear reader—held in hands scarred for your sake— you are invited to the Master's table, pounds in hand, heart aflame.

To become a true believer is to surrender all to the Savior who gave all for you. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, and thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9). Repent, as Peter thundered at Pentecost, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). It is no mere ritual, but a dying to self and rising in Him—whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Cry out for the fire of the Holy Spirit, that baptism of flame John foretold: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Luke 3:16). Be filled with the Spirit and watch as zeal ignites your service—preaching the gospel, tending the broken, stewarding the pounds with hands now steady in His. This is no fleeting spark, but an eternal blaze that empowers you to serve Jesus not in your strength, but His, turning ordinary days into offerings of glory to God.

Let this truth settle like dew on parched ground: God's got you, not because you are good, but because He is God. And in that grip, sin withers, love flourishes, and eternity dawns. What if today, you laid down the excuses and stepped into the river? What fruit might the Spirit coax from your surrender?

Until next time, may the peace of Christ guard your heart, and His joy be your strength. Amen.

October 2, 2025

DANIEL NINE ELEVEN

"The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws." Daniel 4:33

In God’s sacred Word, the Holy Bible, dreams and divine signs serve as beacons, guiding us toward repentance, God's judgment, mercy, and promise of restoration. This blog explores a deeply personal Spiritual journey—My husband’s mental health struggles, a recurring numerical sign, and a divine dream directing me to Daniel 9:11, as well as my continued prayers for patience. Our journey begins in 2019, with my husband’s dream of Nebuchadnezzar as a “beast in the field” Daniel 4:25-33, his repeated sightings of 9:11 on clocks over the past six years, and the events of his arrest on 9/10, release on 9/11, and hospitalization on 9/12/25. In these signs, we see a modern reflection of biblical themes of conviction, judgment, grace, and hope for redemption, especially as the seventh year of his mental health struggles approaches in 2026. Grounded in Scripture, this reflection invites us to trust God’s merciful plan amid life’s trials.

In 2019, my husband dreamed of Nebuchadnezzar as a “beast in the field,” a vivid image from Daniel 4:25–33: “They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field… until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” In this account, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride led to a seven-year humbling, living as a beast until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty and was restored: “I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever” (Daniel 4:34). My husband’s dream was followed by a moment of conviction after a phone conversation with his brother in 2019, when he subsequently looked in a mirror and saw himself as a “beast,” a stark recognition of his own sinfulness.

This dream marked the beginning of his battle with PTSD and mental health challenges, leading to his first hospitalization soon after. Like Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year trial, this moment initiated a season of spiritual refining, aligning with the biblical truth that God uses affliction to draw us closer: “That the trial of your faith… might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). As 2026 nears, the seventh year since 2019, the parallel to Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration offers hope for divine completion, a theme signified by the number seven in Scripture: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all work which God created and made." Genesis 2:2-3

Since that 2019 Nebuchadnezzar dream, my husband has repeatedly noticed the time of 9:11 on clocks, a recurring sign that feels divinely orchestrated. My own dream, received only recently, directed me to Daniel 9:11, amplifying its significance. Daniel 9:11 reads:

“Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.”

In Daniel 9:11, the prophet confesses Israel’s disobedience, acknowledging that their transgression brought the “curse” and “oath” of judgment foretold in the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:15–68), such as exile and suffering. Yet, this verse is nestled within Daniel’s fervent prayer for mercy: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do” (Daniel 9:19). My dream pointing me to Daniel 9:11, and my husband’s 9:11 clock sightings point to a divine call for him to recognize sin, seek repentance, and trust in God’s mercy, mirroring Daniel’s intercession. The verse speaks of consequences but also opens the door to restoration, as God’s judgments are often redemptive: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6).

My husband’s recent experiences align strikingly with Daniel 9:10–12, with each verse corresponding to a specific day in his journey, reflecting the progression from disobedience to consequences to divine restoration, centered on the call of Daniel 9:11.

Daniel 9:10 and My Husband's Arrest on 9/10: “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.” On September 10, 2025, my husband was arrested after an altercation with a police officer. This event aligns with Daniel 9:10’s focus on disobedience, as his actions—whether influenced by illness or personal failing—strayed from God’s standards of peace and self-control: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23). The numerical match (9:10 with 9/10) reflects a moment of conviction, echoing his 2019 recognition of his sins, calling him to return to God’s path.

Daniel 9:11 and My Husband's Release from Jail on 9/11: “Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.” On September 11, 2025, my husband was released from jail on his own recognizance, a moment of grace that directly aligns with Daniel 9:11's repentance ("because we have sinned against him."). The numerical alignment (9:11 with 9/11), reinforced by my dream of Daniel 9:11, and his 9:11 clock sightings, marks this release as a divine reprieve, reflecting the mercy Daniel seeks within the context of acknowledging sin and its consequences. The “curse” of the arrest gives way to an opportunity for repentance: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

Daniel 9:12 and the Hospitalization on 9/12: “And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: . . .” On September 12, 2025, my husband was hospitalized, his fifth admission since 2019. This event aligns with Daniel 9:12’s confirmation of God’s judgment through a “great evil” (calamity), such as the consequences of his ongoing struggles. The “judges that judged us” connects to the police officer’s role in the arrest, while the hospitalization reflects both a trial and a provision for care, pointing to God’s redemptive purpose.

My recent dream directing me to Daniel 9:11, rather than another verse like Daniel 9:18, also carries profound significance related to my continued prayers for patience: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3). Daniel 9:11 is the heart of Daniel’s confession, where he acknowledges Israel’s sin and the resulting “curse” while setting the stage for his plea for mercy. Daniel 9:11 directly confronts the reality of transgression and its consequences, making it a fitting call for my husband’s situation. His struggles—marked by his 2019 conviction, the recurring 9:11 clock sightings, and his recent arrest and hospitalization—mirror the cycle of sin and consequence in Daniel 9:11. Yet, the verse’s place within a greater prayer for restoration points to hope, aligning with his release from jail on 9/11 as a sign of God’s grace.

My dream of Daniel 9:11 underscores my need for, and prayer for, personal patience, sustaining me through my husband's ongoing mental health issues and reinforcing my prayers with the assurance that "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). I pray for God's continued strength, and thank Him for His patience, while we wait on the Lord, trusting His mercy to renew us both: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7). “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do” (Daniel 9:19). This divine focus on Daniel 9:11 highlights God’s desire to redeem through conviction and grace, offering a path forward.

As 2026 marks the seventh year since my husband’s struggles began, the parallel to Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year trial carries profound hope. After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar was restored: “Mine understanding returned unto me… and my kingdom was restored” (Daniel 4:36). The number seven signifies divine completion in Scripture (Genesis 2:2–3), suggesting that this season of affliction may lead to spiritual and emotional renewal, and God-willing, divine patience: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Dreaming of Daniel 9:11 casts me as an intercessor, like Daniel, who prayed for Israel’s restoration. Daniel 9:11’s focus on confession and the hope of mercy calls me to have patience beyond human capability, to pray fervently for my husband’s healing, repentance, and deliverance from mental health struggles, trusting that God hears: “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). This divine prompting encourages steadfast prayer, believing in God’s redemptive power.

Daniel 9:11, “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws”—reflects the root of my husband’s trials, seen in his 2019 conviction and recent arrest, urging a return to obedience. Daniel 9:12—“And he hath confirmed his words… by bringing upon us a great evil”—speaks of fulfilled consequences, like the hospitalization, yet points to God’s faithfulness in both judgment and mercy. These verses frame Daniel 9:11’s call to repentance, reinforcing the hope of restoration.

This journey—marked by my husband’s Nebuchadnezzar dream, the 9:11 clock signs, the events of 9/10, 9/11, and 9/12, and followed by my recent dream of Daniel 9:11—reflects the heart of Daniel 9:11: a call to acknowledge sin, embrace God’s mercy, and trust in His redemptive plan. As the seventh year approaches, I hold fast to God’s promise: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

God works in mysterious ways that we may not fully understand:

Isaiah 55

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do.” (Daniel 9:19)

In Jesus's Mighty Name. Amen.



September 30, 2025

THE ROAD TO JESUS: JUDGES, RUTH, 1 SAMUEL

In the sacred pages of the Bible, the Book of Ruth shines as a beacon of hope and faithfulness amidst the dark and tumultuous days of the Judges. Set during a time when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25), Ruth’s story stands in stark contrast to the moral and spiritual chaos of its era. This brief yet profound narrative, nestled between the apostasy of Judges and the rise of Israel’s monarchy in 1 Samuel, is far more than an historical account. It is a divine tapestry woven with threads of loyalty, redemption, and God’s sovereign grace, pointing us toward the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi and her embrace of the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17) serve as a beautiful analogy for the believer’s call to follow Christ, reflecting the heart of discipleship in the gospel.

The Book of Ruth opens with a somber note: “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). The Book of Judges paints a grim picture of Israel’s spiritual decline. The people repeatedly turned to idolatry, worshiping Baal and Ashtaroth (Judges 2:11-13), provoking God’s judgment through oppression by foreign nations. Yet, in His mercy, God raised up judges—deliverers like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson—to rescue His people when they cried out in repentance (Judges 2:16-18). This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance underscores Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring faithfulness.

Against this backdrop of rebellion and chaos, the Book of Ruth emerges as a story of hope. While Judges depicts a nation adrift, Ruth’s narrative reveals God’s grace at work through the faithfulness of individuals. It is a reminder that even in the darkest times, God is preparing the way for His redemptive purposes, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

At the heart of Ruth’s story is her remarkable declaration to Naomi, her mother-in-law, after the tragic loss of their husbands: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). These words, steeped in loyalty and love, echo far beyond their immediate context, resonating with the call to follow Jesus Christ.

Ruth, a Moabite widow and a foreigner to Israel, chooses to leave her homeland, her people, and her pagan gods to follow Naomi and embrace the God of Israel. Her decision mirrors the cost of discipleship described by Jesus: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, and by extension to Naomi’s God, reflects the heart of a disciple who forsakes all to follow the Lord. Her words, “thy God my God,” signify a profound spiritual transformation, akin to the believer’s turning from sin to worship the one true God. ". . . and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Ruth’s journey leads her to Boaz, a “mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1) who becomes her kinsman-redeemer. Under God’s providential guidance, Ruth gleans in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3) and finds favor in his eyes. Boaz, in his kindness and righteousness, redeems Naomi’s inheritance and marries Ruth, securing their family’s future (Ruth 4:9-10). This act of redemption foreshadows the greater work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

Just as Boaz, a near kinsman, redeems Ruth and Naomi from destitution, Christ, through His death and resurrection, redeems His people from the bondage of sin and death. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Ruth’s humble acceptance of Boaz’s provision mirrors the believer’s trust in Christ’s atoning work, receiving salvation by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ruth’s story is her inclusion in the genealogy of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth concludes with a genealogy tracing from Pharez (son of Judah and Tamar) to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David (Ruth 4:18-22). This lineage is reiterated in the New Testament, confirming Ruth’s place in the ancestry of Christ (Matthew 1:5-6, 16). The blessing given to Boaz and Ruth at their marriage, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman” (Ruth 4:12), draws a deliberate connection to the story of Tamar, Judah, and Pharez in Genesis 38, highlighting profound parallels that enrich the Messianic narrative.

In Genesis 38, Tamar, likely a Canaanite, finds herself widowed and childless, facing a precarious future. When Judah, the patriarch of the tribe bearing his name, fails to fulfill the Levirate custom through his surviving son, Tamar takes bold action. Disguising herself as a harlot, she conceives by Judah, giving birth to twins, Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38:27-30). Despite the morally complex circumstances, Tamar’s determination to secure her place in Judah’s family ensures the continuation of his lineage, through which the Messiah would come. Pharez, her son, becomes a key ancestor in the tribe of Judah, leading to David and ultimately to Christ (Matthew 1:3).

The connection to Ruth is striking. Like Tamar, Ruth is a Gentile widow, an outsider to Israel (a Moabite, a people often despised by Israel, Deuteronomy 23:3). Both women face vulnerability and uncertainty yet act with faith and resolve to align themselves with God’s covenant people. Tamar’s unconventional union with Judah and Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, result in their inclusion in the Messianic line. The blessing in Ruth 4:12 invokes Pharez’s name to signify fruitfulness and prominence, as Pharez’s descendants became a numerous and significant clan within Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-5). Similarly, Ruth’s son, Obed, becomes the grandfather of David, cementing her role in God’s redemptive plan.

The stories of Tamar and Ruth share key themes: God’s providence in using unlikely individuals, the inclusion of Gentiles in His covenant, and the preservation of the Messianic lineage through unexpected means. Both women, though outsiders, demonstrate faith and initiative, becoming vessels of God’s grace. Their inclusion foreshadows the gospel’s universal call, where “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Just as Tamar’s bold action and Ruth’s loyal devotion secure their places in the lineage of David, they point to the greater reality of Christ, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith, regardless of their background (Revelation 7:9). The comparison in Ruth 4:12 underscores God’s sovereignty in weaving these women’s stories into the tapestry of salvation history, preparing the way for the Messiah.

The contrast between Ruth and the Book of Judges is striking. While Judges recounts Israel’s repeated idolatry and moral chaos—culminating in the horrific accounts of idolatry in Dan (Judges 17-18) and civil war involving Benjamin (Judges 19-21)—Ruth’s story radiates faithfulness, humility, and divine providence. Her loyalty to Naomi, her diligence in gleaning (Ruth 2:2), and her submission to God’s will stand as a testament to the power of individual obedience in a rebellious age. Ruth’s story assures us that God’s grace is at work, even when His people falter, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.

Ruth’s declaration, “whither thou goest, I will go,” resonates as a timeless call to discipleship. Just as Ruth bound herself to Naomi and her God, believers are called to follow Jesus, saying, in effect, “Where You go, I will go; Your people will be my people; Your Father will be my God.” This requires leaving behind the old life—whether it be sin, self-reliance, or worldly attachments—and trusting in Christ’s redemptive work. As Ruth found provision and a future through Boaz, we find eternal life and purpose through Jesus, who declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

The Book of Ruth, though brief, is a pivotal link in the chain of God’s redemptive history. From the chaos of Judges to the establishment of David’s throne in 1 Samuel, Ruth’s story bridges the gap, showing how God uses the faithfulness of a Moabite widow to advance His Messianic plan. Her journey from outsider to ancestor of Christ reflects the gospel’s power to transform and include all who come to God in faith. As we read Ruth’s words and trace her legacy, may we be inspired to echo her commitment, following Jesus with unwavering devotion, trusting Him as our Redeemer, and rejoicing in His grace that welcomes us into His eternal family.

The books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel, in their vivid portrayal of Israel’s spiritual cycles, resonate deeply with the times we are now living in, as they echo humanity’s struggle with faithlessness and the hope of redemption through Christ’s return. In Judges, we see a world marked by moral chaos and idolatry, where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6), mirroring today’s relativistic culture that often rejects God’s truth for personal desires. Yet, amidst this darkness, Ruth’s story shines as a testament to God’s grace, as her faithfulness and inclusion in the Messianic line foreshadow the gospel’s call to all nations, reminding us that even in a rebellious age, God is gathering His people through faith in Christ (Romans 10:12-13). The transition to 1 Samuel, with the rise of David’s kingdom, points to the establishment of God’s anointed king, prefiguring Jesus, the ultimate King, whose imminent return will bring final deliverance from sin and death, fulfilling the promise that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Just as these books trace God’s redemptive plan through a turbulent era, they encourage us today to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in Christ’s return to restore all things.



Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the testimony of Ruth, whose faith and loyalty shine as a light in a dark world. May her example inspire us to follow Thy Son, Jesus Christ, with all our heart, trusting in His redemption and walking in His truth. Guide us, as Thou didst guide Ruth, to be vessels of Thy grace in our generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.