I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: (Philemon 1:10)
Greetings. Lately, the Lord had impressed upon me to study the book of Philemon. In that short book, God showed me a couple of things that I want to share with you. First, let look at Onesimus. Who was Onesimus? He was a runaway slave.
Onesimus got caught and put in jail. While in jail, he met Paul in which would be a divine encounter. Paul ministered to him, and he accepted the Lord as his savior. While in jail, Paul taught him about the word. It was during that time that he found out his master was Philemon. Philemon was a disciple of Paul and was very rich.
Even though Philemon was rich and a disciple, Paul was concerned about the welfare of Onesimus. Even in Biblical times, a captured slave could face execution, but Paul interceded for Onesimus. He told Philemon how profitable he was to him and that he was serving the Lord. He encouraged Philemon to accept him as a brother and not a slave- Quite radical for those times.
Restoration And Purpose
Many Christians believe that Paul was poor, but he was not. Notice he offered to pay what the slave Onesimus owed to Philemon. It bears to reason that as Christians, we should help those in need, especially when it comes to finances. After writing the letter to Philemon, he sent Onesimus back to his master with a new beginning.
My question to you is–What are you running from? Running from your problems is not the answer. The answer is Jesus! Jesus is the answer to our problems. Onesimus found eternal life, and he was never the same after that experience.
The way to face your problems is to run to them. David faced Goliath and ran to him. He was covenant-minded and confessed God’s word. (1 Samuel 17: 46-47) Let’s look at what he said–
1- Deliverance– He declared God was going to deliver him.
2- Defeat–David was going to chop off the Giant’s head.
3- Victory–Goliath’s carcass given to the birds of the air and beasts of the field.
So, don’t run from your problems. Learn to be covenant-minded and run to your problems. Declare victory and prophesy to your giant. Victory is yours.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, workoutyour own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12)
Does this title grab your attention? How about the image? In this Bible Study, we are going to explore how crucial it is to have a solid workout in the Spirit. Not that we are ignoring the physical, but it has its role. Having a good workout will bring huge rewards and you will reflect back and be happy you did it.
If you are Born-Again, this message is for you. You do not work out your salvation because you are not saved. You work out your salvation because you are saved. Salvation comes from the Greek word Soteria and it includes peace, prosperity, and healing among other things.
Understanding The Fruits of Salvation.
At the moment you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, salvation was given to you in the shape of a seed. Now, it was up to you to either plant it or let it pass by the wayside. The Bible says that by their fruits, they will be known. You have got to plant it in your heart for it to develop.
The next step is to get baptized in water and find a good church. Finding a good church is necessary for your spiritual growth, but don’t stop there. Hearing the word at church on Sundays only is like having a meal for the rest of the week. Common sense dictates that we need to eat on a daily basis as far as the natural goes. The same applies for the spiritual.
Don’t read the Bible as a newspaper. Get some good Bible helps. A good prayer to start off is what I call the prayers of Ephesians. Personalize that prayer and pray it on a daily basis. The beauty of this prayer is that not only does it work for your Bible studies, but you can pray this prayer for your unsaved or backslidden loved ones. I have enclosed the link below. (1)
Second, get yourself a good Life Application Bible. It will give you good historical and life application on the word. You can get it at the Amazon website. Third, check out the BibleGateway (2) and interlineal Bible helps. (3) It will cause you to dig deep into the word and that is where you will find hidden treasures. Warning, doing all this will cause you a healthy addiction to the word. Here are the links below. God bless.
If you dig a pit, you fall in it; if you break through a wall, a snake bites you. (Eccl 10:8) (Good news)
In this Bible Study, we are going to talk about the fruit of Temperance. Another word for Temperance would be self-control. Not much is taught about the fruit of temperance, but it is necessary to know about it. For us to better understand it, we need to walk in our identity with Christ. Next, we need to see that the fruit of Temperance lies inside of us—
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ( Gal 5:22-23)
If you are in Christ, The fruit of Temperance (Self-control) is inside of you. The way a Fruit is developed is through a seed. You got to make sure you sow it in good ground. When your heart gets hardened by sin, it is difficult to water the seed. That seed needs to find a soft and compatible ground to grow its roots inside.
To make your heart soft, we must humble ourselves. God gives grace to the humble. The moment we stumble and fall into sin, we need to do the following—
1- Confess your sin
2- Repent
3- Put your hand on the plow.
As we plow that seed and allow the Spirit to water it, we shall see how Self-Control will rise up. Spending time in prayer and the Word is key. Our inner being needs to be strengthened to override the flesh. A good example was when the disciples joined Jesus to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus separated himself a distance from his disciples to spend some time in prayer alone. When he came back, he saw his disciples asleep instead of praying. (Matt 26: 39-41)
Jesus reproved his disciples but showed some grace. He recognized their efforts but lovingly corrected them by saying –The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus went on to give us a pattern of prayer–One hour daily ( Matt 26:40) Can you dedicate 1 hour of prayer daily to watch and pray?
A Lack Of Self Control And It’s Consequences.
He that hath no ruleoverhis own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Prov 25:28) (KJV)
I like that verse. It shows us that we are like a city. In Biblical times, a city was surrounded by walls. In some verses, it is compared to a hedge. ( Job 1:10) What does Eccl 10:8 says? That a wall torn down will cause us to get bitten by a serpent.
As we study the life of Job, we see a example of a lack of self control. Satan was trying to afflict Job. God was boasting about his servant Job. Friends, when you are being tested, it could be that God is impressed with you. He is, most likely, boasting about you in front of Satan. ( Job 1:8, Job 2:3)
Satan is diligent, so he did not give up regarding Job and tried to bring evil upon him. He managed to convince God for permission to afflict him. Now, we all know that God is a loving Father. As a Father, I would want to protect my son. How would it be if I permitted a wild pit bull to attack my son?
Here is where you need to do some digging into the Word. God was acting as a Judge, not a loving Father. The heavenly Court was being conducted in heaven, and Satan obtained a legal right to afflict Job. Why?
Job 3:25 explains it all. He was stressed and worried about his family and goods. His lack of self control regarding his thoughts affected him. It gave a legal right for Satan to afflict him because of fear. Let’s look at the verse below—
For God hath notgivenus the spiritoffear; but of power, and of love, and ofa sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Observe the last two words–A sound mind. In the Greek, a sound mind is one that is under control. Paul’s spiritual son Timothy has experienced people abandoning his church. Persecution was was at all all-time high, but Paul told Timothy to be at peace. To keep his thoughts under control and have the mind of Christ.
Have you been fearful or had a hard time controlling your thoughts? You are not alone. It’s time to learn to control your thoughts. It is time to practice self control. Not exercising it will have serious repercussion in your life.
Shake Off Your Serpent.
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. ( Acts 28:3-5)
The word tells us that Satan comes as a serpent. (Rev 20:2) When we give place to Satan due to sin or ignorance of the word, he will bite us. Notice what Paul did? He shook him off. Likewise, we do the same as we repent from sin and walk in our authority. The word says that we have authority over Satan and his demons. (Luke 10:19) Let’s learn from Paul’s example and shake off that serpent. God bless.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make allthingsnew. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. ( Rev 21: 5)
Welcome to 2025! You may wonder what this new year will bring. While only the Holy Spirit truly knows, one thing is certain: this is a time for new beginnings. If you are a Christian, don’t give up on the power of intercession. I believe that 2025 is a pivotal year for the body of Christ—a time of open doors and new opportunities.
Please continue to pray for our leaders, families, friends, and even those who oppose us. As I write this, I am reminded of the tragic incident in New Orleans, where a troubled man drove a truck into a crowd of people, resulting in the loss of 14 lives. My heart goes out to the families affected, and I pray for God’s comforting mercy upon them.
This year, let’s not take our loved ones for granted. When you find yourself awake in the night, use that time for prayer. Someone’s life might hang in the balance. Consider Lot’s example in the word. God spared his life!
“And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” (Genesis 19:15-16)
Though it is said that God respects the human will, we see something unusual here: Lot lingered, caught in indecision. Yet, the angel took his hand and moved him to safety. What caused this divine intervention in Lot’s life? Genesis 19:29 tells us that God remembered Abraham and sent Lot to safety. Intercessory prayer is powerful and can lead to miracles. So, dedicate yourself to intercession this year, and watch God move. 2025 can be a year of great transformation through the power of prayer.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Eph 3:1)
Welcome to our Sunday service. We are delighted to have you join us. Together, we will delve into the uplifting topic of Praise and Worship. Praise and Worship is not just an act, but a way of life for believers. It’s a powerful expression of our love, adoration, and gratitude towards God. Through it, we acknowledge His greatness, His sovereignty, and His unfailing love. This lesson aims to explore the depths of Praise and Worship. It examines its significance in our spiritual lives. It also looks at how it draws us closer to God.
Even though we are free in Christ, we often find ourselves ensnared by the world’s trials, the grip of sin, and the schemes of the devil. These forces conspire to put us in various types of prisons that can hinder our spiritual growth and steal our joy. For instance, many believers find themselves trapped in the prison of sickness, battling physical ailments that drain their strength and hope. Others struggle with the chains of financial lack, feeling the constant pressure of unmet needs and overwhelming debts. These prisons are real and can feel insurmountable, but the good news is that we have a divine escape plan.
God, in His infinite mercy and love, has provided a way out of every prison. These prisons try to hold us captive. Through His Word, He gives us promises of healing, provision, and deliverance. By placing our faith in these promises, we can break free from the chains that bind us. Our study today will focus on these promises and how to apply them in our lives. We will learn how Praise and Worship can be a weapon against the enemy. It can also be a source of strength in our struggles. Additionally, it serves as a pathway to freedom.
Join us in this wonderful journey. We will discover how to walk free. We will be victorious in our walk with Christ. Through heartfelt Praise and Worship, we can experience the liberation that comes from being in God’s presence. We can shift our focus from our problems to His power, from our limitations to His limitless grace. Let’s embrace the freedom we have in Christ and live in the victory He has won for us. Together, let’s break every chain and step into the abundant life that God has promised.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (Prov 27:23)
How are your investments? In Biblical times, sheep and goats were valuable assets. Proverbs 27: 23-27 offers wisdom on this topic matter. Like withdrawing investments and paying taxes today, sheep and goats were given as tributes to the king.
Their wool provided winter clothing, and goat’s milk was a vital food source. By Shepherds tending to their flocks, they saw their investments flourish. A look at the scripture verse below will add some clarity to this matter–
For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? (Prov 27:24)
Seeing a hefty bank balance can give us a false sense of security. If we’re not mindful, we can spend carelessly without thinking about the future. When the time comes for us to truly need those funds, we find ourselves lacking. Proverbs 4:7 reminds us that wisdom is the principal thing. Before you spend, a rule of thumb is to do the next two steps below–
1- Is this necessary?
2- Do I need to pray about this first?
We must be responsible with what we have, as God has entrusted us with our finances. Scripture reminds us that those faithful with little will be entrusted with more (Luke 16:10). It’s essential not to spend recklessly without seeking God’s guidance. Remember, a fool and his money will soon part (Proverbs 21:20). Seek God’s wisdom in your financial decisions and investments. With Him by your side, you can’t go wrong.
Calling All Warriors.
How would you like to do the Lord’s work? It is not complicated. All you have to do is listen to my podcast. If you like this podcast, please share it with friends and family. It is a musical podcast with a gospel message. From time to time, I make the invitation for salvation. Also, it is a good tool to minister to backslidden and weary Christians. Will you answer the call? You will have a reward for every soul that comes to the Lord. So, please click on our picture below. Thanks and God bless.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Recently, the Lord led me back to podcasting. This time, it was not preaching the word; it was to be a musical praise format. God gave me the name Christian Musical Express Train. So, I took the name and adopted it as part of my podcast. I have enclosed my program below so you can hear it and be blessed. (1)
Here is a sample transcription of my program–The sounds that you heard is our Christian Musical Express Train. (Sound of a train in the background) All Aboard. The word says that his train fills the temple and we are hopping on board to get encouraged, refreshed, and comforted in the presence of the Lord. So, put on your praise clothes and shoes and hop on board for a journey second to none.
Our first selection is an unusual song. It is a Christian rap song about laughter. It is entitled “Laughing at my enemies.” Friends, laughter is part of worship. When you are in covenant with God, God is laughing at your enemies—the enemies of doubt, fear, lack, and sickness. You are seated with him. Amen?
The Second selection is the Great I am. Need I say more? He is what you need. If you need healing, he becomes healing. If you have lack, he becomes your provision. He is the Great I am.
Our next selection is Praising thru the pain. We all go thru testings and tribulations, but never lose your praise.
Well, here is the last stop. Goodbye until next Monday at about 4:30pm. We are expanding God willing for a half hour format so do keep it in prayer. You have the mind of Christ. Be blessed.
So, brethren, sit back and take some time to listen. As you ride in our train, you will be blessed. God bless.
PS- I have downloaded two sites. Spotify or Spreaker. You can chose either one of them.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. ( Prov 4:27 )
In today’s post, we are going to focus on direction. In order to gain direction and guidance from the Holy Spirit, we need to be focused. Recently, I spent some time in Puerto Rico and was helping my mom. She celebrated her 90th birthday and I am amazed at her strength. God ministered to me through her.
A I look at her life, I find some amazing details. She lost the love of her life. My father and her were married for 69 years. Last year, he died at 95 years old. I thought that his death would be the end of her but she bounced back. I am especially amazed at her mind. Dare I say that she has a better memory than me. (Smile)
Getting back to the beginning.
While I was in Puerto Rico, helping to care for my mom, God brought a prophetic word from the past. About 20 years ago, I went to the front for prayer during a church service. Pastor Castellanos laid hands on me and prophesied that I would write praise and worship songs for the Lord. After a while, I forgot about that prophetic word.
During my stay in Puerto Rico, God opened a door. With the help of Ai, I received the gift of songwriting from God. What followed was about 100 songs that I wrote for the Lord. A few days ago, I created a musical podcast called The Christian Musical Journey and it has been well received. Here are some of the songs on today’s podcast.
Writing on the Wall – Inspired by Daniel 5, this song tells the story of a king who spent a wild night partying and disrespecting God. The Lord had enough and sent a message to the king. This serves as a reminder that friends and circumstances can sometimes distract us from hearing God’s voice. Learn from the king’s mistake and take heed. God doesn’t want us to head toward destruction. Take some time to self-examine yourself.
2- I, welcome you, Holy Spirit–The Holy Spirit is our friend. Make him feel at home in your body.
3- El Jardin de tu vida–Your life is a garden. Protect your mind and thoughts. You will reap what you sow. (Spanish Praise.)
4- Mr. Zero–My personal testimony. Backslid from the Lord. Experienced heartbreaks and obstacles. Joined the Navy to escape, trying to drown my sorrows with alcohol. Amid my pain, God brought a wonderful woman into my life. Through a series of changes, I came back to the Lord and am serving him. Praise God!
I have enclosed a link to my podcast as well as the message that I gave on Facebook Live on Wednesday. If you like our Musical podcast, please feel free to share it with friends and family. God bless.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Whenthouwast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but whenthou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ( John 21:18)
Curious about your future, destiny, and how you might die? These questions linger in everyone’s mind. While AI technology attempts to predict life spans and destinies, the Bible remains the most reliable source of prophecy. When the Holy Spirit reveals your calling and destiny, you can trust it will come to pass.
Consider Peter’s story. Jesus gave him a prophetic word in John 21:18, promising him a long life. Contrary to the saying that we aren’t promised tomorrow, this verse shows that the Apostle Peter was indeed promised longevity. Lets look at some key points—
(1) The Lord highlighted different phases of Peter’s life—his youth and old age—symbolizing spiritual growth. As one matures in faith, they learn to trust in the Lord’s guidance. Peter underwent a transformation, overcoming his fear of men.
(2) John 21:19 reveals how the prophetic word unfolded for Peter and the church, even detailing his death. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down.
(3) Prophetic words aren’t always about blessings; they include warnings and tribulations. We live in a fallen world and life won’t always be pleasant.
(4) When Peter was arrested and sentenced to die, he remained calm, as recorded in Acts 12. He knew it wasn’t his time; he still had work to do.
(5) Similarly, Apostle Paul knew his departure was near but asked God to extend his life, which He did (Phil 1:23). Paul went beyond the call of duty out of love for God and the church. Today, seek God’s guidance for your life. He has a plan, purpose, and destiny for you. Stay faithful.
For more on this study, please check out our video on our Facebook page–The Christian Corner Podcast page 56. God bless.
Grace be to you andpeace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ( 2 Cor 1:2 )
Let’s dive into the topic of Grace and Peace. The Apostle Paul often included the words Grace and Peace in his letters to the church. What does this imply? Let’s explore some important points:
( 1 ) Grace comes from the Greek word Charis. Among its many meanings, it implies bounty, benefits, joy, and pleasure. It revolves around unmerited favor and was used in Biblical times as a greeting among the people.
( 2 ) Peace, in Hebrew, means Shalom. It implies blessings from above, with nothing missing and nothing broken. The greeting was and still is used among the Jewish people.
( 3 ) This greeting calls attention to unity. The Greeks (Gentiles) and the Jews worshipped one God together. It also signifies the merging of the Old and New Testaments into one.
Without the grace of God, we can’t experience His peace. The grace of God teaches us about our identity in Christ. During one of America’s dark historical periods, Africans were shipped as slaves to America. They lost their identity and had to adopt their master’s last name. Similarly, Satan had us enslaved to darkness until Jesus set us free and gave us a new identity. As a result, we received the peace of God in our lives.
( 4 ) Words have power. The Greeks used Charis as a greeting, and the Jews used Shalom which involves blessings. We are no different. We say phrases like- Have a good day and God bless you when someone sneezes.
Final Points to Consider
In reviewing Grace and Peace, I would call them the Power Twins. This is especially true in the context of receiving answers in our prayers from God. We must understand Grace to experience the Peace of God. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. After conversing with God, he was told- My grace is sufficient for you. God provided the tools to endure that test and have the peace of God. Let’s make it a point to meditate on Grace and Peace. As we do so, we will see many answers to prayers. Shalom.
The Christian Corner Ministries 