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Author: Michael Hopkins Have you ever considered the profound depth of your spiritual beliefs, or pondered the weight of your role as a minister? Think about this. You yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. That's a direct quote from 1 Peter 2:5 ESV. Quite a thought, isn't it? In essence, we are all ministers in our own unique ways. We express our faith, our deeply held beliefs, and in doing so we minister to others. This can take many forms, engaging in deep, meaningful conversations, sharing our thoughts on social media, or even through a website. What matters most is that we embody our beliefs and set a positive example for others to follow. Remember, we were all sinners at one point or another. None of us are perfect, and we shouldn't expect perfection from those around us. The Bible reminds us in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We've all fallen short, and yet we are all worthy of forgiveness. In Ecclesiastes 7:22 we are reminded, For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. We've all been there, haven't we? And yet, Matthew 6:14 encourages us, If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Consider 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. We are all ordained, sanctified, known before we came into this world. It's a powerful testament to our spiritual worth and potential. And what about the concept of being a priest in heaven? The Bible, in Revelation 26, tells us that those from the first resurrection will be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. So I leave you with this thought. Are you a priest in your own right, ministering your beliefs and embodying your faith in all you do? I encourage you to explore this further, to delve deeper into your spiritual journey. For more insights and to continue this exploration, do visit us at JehovahSaint.com

Author: Michael Hopkins Have you ever pondered upon the sheer power of dreams and visions? What if I told you that they are the very fuel that propels us towards our destiny? In our infancy, we are all filled with dreams, visions and grand ideas of what we aspire to achieve. These dreams ignite a spark within us, a spark that we eagerly want to share with the world. However, it's not always met with the same enthusiasm, for these dreams are ours, and ours alone, the dream that is nestled within you. You have nurtured it, you've pondered upon it, fleshed it out and planned its execution. But remember, your dreams are unique, as unique as you are. Just as you once stood at the threshold of your dreams, so do others stand at the threshold of yours, trying to comprehend its profoundness. These dreams and visions are not mere figments of your imagination, they are divine gifts bestowed upon you. It's important to note that not every dreamer is meant to share their dream. Some dreams are so personal, so intimate, that sharing them might lead to discouragement. It's crucial to remember that not everyone will rejoice in your dreams. When you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else's dream, be a source of encouragement. Every dream, every vision, is a delicate blueprint that needs careful and thoughtful execution. Mistakes will be made, but it's through these mistakes that we learn and improve. Consider the journey of any business owner. They didn't have all the answers at the beginning. Even the most well-thought-out plans have room for improvement. Even the most successful corporations today, worth billions, are not immune to mistakes. The key is not to dwell on these mistakes. Instead, stay positive, remain focused, and engage in daily prayer. Remember the wisdom found in Mark 11, 24. What things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. To summarize, dreams and visions are the catalysts that drive us forward. They are unique, personal, and not always meant to be shared. When shared, they should be met with encouragement, not discouragement. Mistakes are inevitable, but they contribute to our learning and improvement. Stay positive, stay focused, and engage in daily prayer. For more inspiration and wisdom, feel free to visit us at JehovahSaint.com

Author: Michael Hopkins Have you ever contemplated the stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots in our society? The question we must grapple with today is this. What responsibility do those with more bear towards those with less? Consider the story of a man, destitute and in need. His poorly clothed, his stomach growls with hunger, and he knocks on the door of a well-to-do neighbour. The neighbour, well-intentioned, tells him, Go in peace, be warmed and filled. Yet he does not offer the man food or clothing from his abundant store. The words are kind, the sentiment is good, but without action, what good is it? This scenario, as stark as it may seem, is not too far from the truth. Many of us express sympathy for those less fortunate, but how often do we extend our hands to help? The good book tells us, give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Generosity, it seems, is not just a virtue, but a pathway to abundance. The psalmist also tells us, a good man shows favour and lends. Lending to those in need is not just an act of kindness, but an act of faith. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done, we are told in Proverbs. Now, imagine if the affluent neighbour, instead of sending the man away with empty words, lent him what he needed, or gave him a gift of food and clothing. This act of giving or lending wouldn't just be a gesture of kindness, but an investment in humanity, a loan given to the Lord himself. However, the act of lending comes with its own rules. The Bible warns us against exacting interest from the poor. If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a money lender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. This is not about profit, but about compassion, about understanding the struggles of our fellow human beings. In conclusion, giving and lending to the poor are not just acts of charity, but acts of faith. They are not just about alleviating poverty, but about fulfilling our responsibility towards our fellow human beings. They are about being the good person who shows favour, who lends, who is kind to the poor. For as we are reminded in Corinthians, God loves a cheerful giver. So the next time you encounter someone in need, remember the words from the Bible and extend a helping hand. For in doing so, you are not just giving to a person, you are lending to the Lord, and your reward will be great. For more insights and inspiration, visit us at JehovahSaint.com. Remember, giving isn't just an act, it's a way of life.