The book of Revelation clearly talks about the “mark of the beast” where no one can buy or sell without that mark. This future event will be mandatory for everyone to have this mark of the beast on their right hand or on the forehead (Rev 13:15-17).
The Israelites were instructed to have God’s laws in their hearts. And that was to be evidenced by their thoughts and actions. As an imagery of this, they were to “bind” them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes (Dut 6:8).
The mark of the beast will be mandatory one day and will be used to control people and force them to worship the “image of the beast.” But God’s words are to be voluntarily placed in our minds and hearts and we are to live according to them. Without force, as a response to our love, we worship God as our savior and creator of all things.
Many live in fear of that upcoming time where everyone will be forced to have the mark of the beast on their right hand and on their foreheads. At that time people will be forced to worship the image of the beast.
But today, we have a choice to worship the living God and to live according to his desires. His laws are to be placed in our hearts and minds. That is to be evidenced by our actions. This is the imagery in Deuteronomy 6:8, where they were instructed to bind them as a sign on their hand (their actions) and as frontlets between their eyes (their thoughts).
There is no need to fear the mark of the Beast as long as we live for God!
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
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As a leader, what do you have to offer? Why should people follow you? If you’re a leader of leaders, the situation is more intense. As they are leading others, why should they follow? 
There ought to be some value that you add to people who follow you. Now, that value needs to be of a greater magnitude than what they can give you. So, what do you have to offer? 
What value can you add?  No one cares about titles and position anymore. There are too many of those. What do you pass on to them in a regular basis? Is it inspiration, motivation, friendship, instruction, guidance, or something else? And how can you deliver those to them in a regular basis? 
Make it clear, valuable, and deliverable. Then deliver it. 
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What could possibly be a permanent solution to “the mess we’ve made” of our lives? I’m sure we’ve tried many things to get our life in order. Sometimes trusted friends or highly respected mentors have helped us a lot. Their advice may have been a great solace.
I’ve had a few of these mentors in my life as well. They impacted me in tremendous ways. Through the years, I’ve contacted them by phone, letters and personal visits. Sometimes those visits were costly as I had to take some long distance flights just to be with them. But for me, the value was beyond money as their words and wisdom were of greater value. But one by one, each of these mentors died. Only their legacy is left. There is no longer any possibility for me to contact them.
The Bible says we have a high priest who holds his priesthood permanently. Among the Israelites, the high priests held their office till death, and another high priest would take their place. But for Jesus it was different.

But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:24-25).

So here is the permanent solution: Jesus. Even those who’ve followed him for a long time may need to be reminded that Jesus is the only and permanent solution. Keep going back to him again and again.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.
* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

I thought the Gospel meant Good News. But for some, it seems to mean something totally different. For them, it means being right, having the right doctrine, having the right translation of the Bible, belonging to the right church, etc.
But for Jesus, the Gospel of the Kingdom was an invitation. It was an invitation to Kingdom life, where everything flowed from the Father. He is the source of all that we are and all that we have.
Jesus invited people to follow him because he was going to the Father. The things of this world we’re not to be valued much because of the surpassing value of what is to come, in the Father’s house.
So, what is right? Just keep yourself moving toward the Father’s house.

After teaching and preaching for over 30 years, I have observed how people can get confused and begin to doubt God. I’ve seen this in people throughout my life in various places I’ve lived.
At one point their faith seemed sure and determined, but later, it’s completely gone. I’ve asked, but they are not able to give a clear answer why or how they have wavered in the faith. Somehow, their minds are clouded and confused about their relationship with God.
In addition to the common hindrances in our lives, there is a clear impact of the enemy, the devil, or Satan. The Bible calls him the deceiver and the accuser.

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelations 12:9)

The Bible clearly states that as we resist the devil, he will flee from us. But as we draw close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:7-8).
When the devil brings doubts and fears into your minds, resist him. Reject the lies and speak the truth of God’s word to yourself. Then, draw close to God. On a consistent basis, continue to draw closer and closer to God – and he will draw close to you.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
 
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* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

You got away this time and last time. It may seem like you’re safe. But irresponsibility has a way of keeping score. Eventually it will catch up with you.
Be on your guard. Fill the gaps and fix the leaks. It may seem like busy work, but that’s the best way.

It is one of the greatest desires of our heart to know the will of God for our lives. We want to know what we should do and specifically, we would like to know what decisions we should make. Some seek out prophets with the desire to know God’s will.
So, which prophecy will you select? Some wait till they hear one more prophecy on the same issue so they can select the one that “agrees with their spirit.” Of course, the favorable one, or the one we like usually “agrees” with us, rather than the one we don’t like. Thus we set aside what we don’t like. 
Some people even save phone numbers of several people with prophetic gifting so they can get prophecies from different ones and hopefully get some kind of prophetic consensus regarding what they are facing or the direction they should take.
It is obvious that we are distressed over the decisions we need to take. We are also afraid of making the “wrong” choices in life. Some fear that the troubles we face today are the result of bad decisions in the past. Although this may be true, such thinking just puts us in a mental and emotional “tailspin” that just won’t end. But here’s what Paul has to say:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good (1 Thes 5:18-21).
So, what is God’s will for my future? What should I do? How do I approach life and the circumstances life presents me with? God’s will for us is clearly expressed in our approach, our attitude. In everything we are to give thanks for this is God’s will for us. We often think of God’s will as a particular decision or direction to take. But here, we are instructed to have a thankful heart.
Having a thankful attitude does not imply that things are going your way. Life can be unpleasant, painful, or even dangerous, but we are to be thankful. Thankful for what? Thankful that God had mercy on us and sent Jesus to die for us as we were headed for eternal damnation. Thankful that God will work out His plans in life regardless of the current circumstances.
So what is God’s will for my life? I am to be thankful in everything. Don’t put life “on hold” until everything gets better. Rather in every circumstance, give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* For a Malayalam video of this post, visit my Facebook page.
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* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

The prize comes later. For now, enjoy the race. If you’re looking for the prize now, you’ll be disappointed.

For now, you’ll get what you need to successfully run the race. The supply is unlimited. But you get the prize only after the race.

Many have gone before. Their cheers are behind you. The motivation is unlimited. But you get the prize only after the race.

The hindrances are many. They stick to you like they’re part of you. Get rid of them. The possibilities are unlimited. But you get the prize only after the race.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (HEBREWS 12:1).

Recently I heard of several people who have completely given up in life. Due to some tragedy or misfortune they gave up all hopes for the future. One person simply stopped talking to anyone, and began to live a “silent” life. Some completely retreat from society and close themselves in their homes. Some stop attending church. Others walk away from God.
Why should we continue to trust God? Why should we not give up hope for the future? Why should we not retreat when repeatedly faced with tragedy? All of this hinges on the one fact that our God will be victorious and His Kingdom will be established forever.

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelations 11:15).

So the question is not only why we should persevere but how we can hold on to the end. I believe our best option is to live with a kingdom perspective. The perspective of the kingdom will put the struggles of our lives in the perspective of God’s kingdom.
We have confidence that in the end, God’s kingdom will prevail, and my struggles, pain and brokenness will all be consumed/resolved in God’s eternal kingdom. My life here on earth is temporary, but his kingdom is eternal.
So, why should we persevere? It’s a kingdom thing – a kingdom of God perspective.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* For a Malayalam video of this post, visit my Facebook page.
* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.
* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.