When I read the article “Anyone who withdraws €3,000 in Spain will be monitored” in our German Edition of the Weltnachrichten, I was initially appalled. The Express newspaper wrote the following: “Anyone in Spain who wants to withdraw large sums of cash from their account will in the future have to inform the tax authorities in advance… When registering, the purpose of the withdrawal must be stated as well as the identity of the person making the withdrawal and, if different, the recipient.

“Non-compliance can be expensive: fines range from 1 to 10 percent of the amount withdrawn – in extreme cases, up to €150,000.

“Even those who regularly withdraw smaller amounts of around €800 or €900 can come under the scrutiny of the authorities if there is no plausible reason for doing so. Banks are now obliged to report suspicious activities – even if they remain below the thresholds.”

However, this approach, as currently practiced in Spain, is not unique in the EU.

Verbraucherschutzforum.Berlin (a platform that deals with consumer protection) published the following information on its website on April 28, 2025:

“An important change that all citizens should be aware of: The European Union has introduced an upper limit for cash transactions. With immediate effect, a maximum of €10,000 may be handed over in cash anywhere in the EU – anything above this amount will be strictly regulated. Anyone who fails to comply risks severe penalties.”

Then there is another type of surveillance that Germany in particular is very interested in and that the EU would like to introduce. This is the so-called “social credit system,” which is already well established in China.

Please note the following excerpts from an article by Frau von Hassel in the “Bayerische Gemeinde Zeitung” from December 2022:

“Social scoring coming soon to Bavaria?

“2G/3G has led to the acceptance of mutual control in a very short time. (2G: vaccinated or recovered; 3G: vaccinated, recovered, or tested). Everyone now has various apps on their smartphones that voluntarily provide data on whether law-abiding citizens are complying with all the measures imposed. But how far away is this scenario really from a social scoring system or social credit system, as has already been introduced in China? Are structures not being created here that could be brought into sharp focus and abused in the near future?…

“Bologna and Vienna are currently introducing a social credit system (light) on a trial basis. These systems are based on the concept of sustainability. Anyone who acts in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner can benefit from this. The conditions for this are already in place in Bavaria. The aim is to promote sustainable behavior in everyday life by rewarding environmentally conscious actions. It is intended to send a signal to companies and citizens.”

What exactly is this social credit system?

The social credit system is a method of assessing individuals or situations using rating scales. A citizen’s social credit score rises based on socially desirable actions, such as paying taxes or buying Chinese products. However, it also drops if a person exhibits behavior that the state considers dishonest or otherwise problematic, such as committing a crime or making negative statements about the government.

At first glance, it seems very frightening when you consider that we are on the verge of establishing this totalitarian surveillance state, which will be none other than the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire. And it is precisely these scenarios that should remind us of the warnings Jesus Christ gave us in the Gospels and in the Book of Revelation. But Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, and many others also warn us precisely of such a dictatorship, which is prophesied for the end times.

We read in Revelation 13:16-17: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast…”

It is about disregarding God’s commandments and no longer obeying them and instead giving full obedience to the state! As frightening and monstrous as it may be, it is also sobering when one becomes aware of God’s revelation.

All this madness that is now coming upon us must not frighten us, neither the punishments nor the people who will use this system against true Christians.

Paul tells us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

And Solomon wrote: “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

Christ gives us a firm confidence in His great help: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Our trust in God and Jesus Christ must remain unshakable, and we must hold fast to the conviction that God will protect us in all our distress!

Christ told us: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Furthermore: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Let us together hold fast to this confidence and strengthen one another so that we may all enter the Kingdom of God. We ought to obey God rather than men!

Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger

With current and looming problems in full effect around the world, bringing about increasing instability, due to ongoing threats, terrorism, and unrest all around, how are we to deal with this and where are WE to place our trust? Members and associates of the true Church of God are admonished to “be sober, be vigilant,” or, in other words, self-controlled and watchful, “because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  

Being sober and being vigilant both go hand in hand, for if we are not sober or in a clear state of mind, then we can be caught off guard, which could lead us to sin because of temptation.  Sobriety and watchfulness are very necessary for our Christian life, and if we are not sober in body and mind, we would not be watchful over ourselves and also over world events in fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Peter continues on explaining why we are to be sober and vigilant by saying, “…because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  Satan is our enemy, our opponent.  The Bible commentary, Barnes’ Notes of the Bible, explains that “Satan opposes man in his best interests. He resists his efforts to do good; his purposes to return to God; his attempts to secure his own salvation. There is no more appropriate appellation that can be given to him than to say that he resists all our efforts to obey God and to secure the salvation of our own souls.”

So then, Satan will do everything in his power to deter us, to throw us off guard, making sure that we will fail.  He will use any means possible in ways we probably wouldn’t recognize at first, and that is why we need to be circumspect at ALL times.

We are aware that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31), and he is responsible for many terrible disasters to occur, keeping in mind that God allows them to happen.  Insofar as the Church is concerned, we may not necessarily fall victim to those who have lost their lives in such extreme and horrific ways, but Satan uses his cunning craftiness to attack us, to strike us where we are weak and where we may struggle, tempting us to sin, trying to make sure that we will not succeed, but only to FAIL. 

We CAN succeed and God expects that of us.  God provides us with tools and promises if we put our trust in Him.  By remaining vigilant, we can protect ourselves by putting on the whole armor of God (compare Ephesians 6:11-18).

We have a bigger challenge ahead of us, compared to the rest of the world, for we have the knowledge and the understanding as to how to defeat Satan, to overcome our trials and to live a righteous godly life, for God has chosen US now to come out of this world, and He has given US, as the firstfruits, the first opportunity to inherit eternal salvation, ahead of all others.

Because we know this, we can also expect to go through trials continuously which God allows, to test our strength and commitment to see whether or not we will overcome until the end and be counted worthy, so we can ultimately be a part of God’s Family (compare Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:36; Revelation 2:26). 

Satan is compared to a roaring lion that seeks those whom he wants to devour.  Yet in Revelation 12:12, a warning is placed to everyone on this earth, especially God’s elect, when Satan will attack. “…Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Satan will strike as a roaring lion, implying his violent and voracious thirst for prey as a hungry beast.

We continue to preach that we are living in the end time and Christ’s return is near, and therefore we must understand how QUICKLY things can materialize.  If we are not watchful, but rather ignorant to what is happening around the world, as things continue to progress in light of biblical prophecy, then we will be in the same category of people as Christ explains in Matthew 24:48-51 where “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of” and we will be caught unaware (also compare Mark 13:32-37).

We have a duty to fulfill. Jesus Christ makes it very clear how vigilant we must be at ALL times, in ANY situation.  Our calling to the Truth should not be taken for granted; neither is it a free pass to everlasting life, but it is something we need to work at continually, asking God for more wisdom and strength so that we can overcome Satan’s schemes. 

In January 2025, I looked at the BBC Parliament Channel on television and saw a discussion entitled, “Flood Resilience in England”. Here were the great in London and via video calls giving evidence, information and suggestions on this subject.

The Environmental Audit Committee was undertaking an inquiry on how flood resilience can be strengthened in response to increasing risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, and evolving flood hazards.

There seemed to be about 20 in the chamber which included politicians, professors and other interested and involved parties.

Their concerns were that in England, an estimated 5.7 million properties are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, and groundwater.  A number of recent problems outlined the challenges that have brought flood risk management back into the national spotlight.

It was stated on the TV channel that “looking to the future, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) anticipates that by 2050, the UK will face warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and continued sea level rises.  Sea levels, which have already risen by 16cm since 1900, could place a third of England’s coastline under significant flood pressure. Flooding and coastal erosion are complex issues with serious economic, social, and environmental consequences. They pose significant risks to lives, health, homes, and infrastructure, yet the best path forward remains uncertain. Critical national infrastructure—including water supply systems, rail networks, and electricity grids—face vulnerabilities that will require careful evaluation and planning.”

Many would question the accuracy of their predictions. Still, their concerns and considerations, at least in a general way, should be taken seriously, as prevention is always better than a cure.   However, these are not the only critical issues to be addressed in a nation deluged with a seemingly endless list of problem areas.   Wherever you look, very little is working perfectly, and endless meetings, committees, commissions, talks and task forces, both local and national, convene to grapple with the problems confronting them and the nation.   It seems to be an endless grind and even when decisions are found, rarely is there enough money to fund the required action.

Sound familiar?  It should be as it seems to not only be a UK problem but extant in so many countries and areas around the world.   Why should it be?

Simply answered, it is because God is ignored.   The Bible is full of admonitions about how to do this, that and the other, but man always seems to know best and pursues his own line of reasoning and implementation.

God gave His Commandments for man to follow for his own well-being.   Many ignore them, even including those who say that they love God.   God gives counsel and rules in so many areas of our lives, and most of those are disregarded or rejected such as how to treat and deal with others, our own personal godly example, correct worship, tithing, eating only clean foods and correct sexual practices, and much more.

In Proverbs 11:1, we read: “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.”   We should never cheat anyone either personally or in business but how often is that ignored?   We should never lie to others just to get our way or the best in a business deal.   No shady deals.  The list could go on and on, but because God and His Ways are ignored, problems inevitably ensue.   

It will not be so in the Millennium.  All things will be done in a Godly fashion for the benefit of all concerned.   Jesus Christ and other born-again members of the Family of God at that time will ensure that all of God’s instructions are adhered to and the result will be a complete removal of all the problems that man has himself created and is now looking at how to deal with them.   And this has been because God and His Way have been ignored.   In the future, it will not be as it is currently.   Think tanks, conferences, symposiums, assemblies and gatherings will not be necessary as they are today, as matters will be dealt with perfectly from inception, therefore not requiring any remedial action.   Perfect from the get-go.

The difference will be stark, and the right Way will last for eternity!

Now that the weather in our northern hemisphere is warming up and summer is approaching fast, we find ourselves getting involved in things we cannot do in the fall and winter, when the weather starts to turn. One of the first things that has to be done up here in Canada is the raking of all the leaves and branches which may have been broken by winds in the wintertime or broken by the weight of snow. Depending on the yard, that can be quite a chore, including preparations as far as fertilizer is concerned and getting the soil ready for planting. As the weather warms up, we have more outdoor activities and projects that can take up our time which is not so much an issue in the winter when we could spend more time on maintaining our relationship with God.

When we have a lot on our plate, we could get distracted, and we may start going down roads that take up time and take away from the things we ought to be doing.

It’s important to prioritize our time and not to neglect our prayer and Bible study which will otherwise cause a setback in our relationship with God. Satan is always there to provide ample opportunities for distractions, misdirection and getting us going on projects that take away time we should be spending in prayer and in studying the Bible. If we start neglecting our relationship with God, it could lead to sin, and then Satan accuses us before God of conduct which he instigated in the first place.

Summertime is a busy time for all, and it’s great to get out of the house and enjoy nature and more sunshine from the cold gloomy winter, and we appreciate the things we can do which we cannot do in the winter, but we have to make sure we are not robbing God of the time we should be spending with Him. God wants us to have a full and joyful life, but let’s ensure we don’t give in to the many possible distractions which might cause us to neglect God.

When Jesus was asked about the sign of His return, He listed a series of events which must happen first. He began by warning against deception, saying that many would come in His name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4-5). They would come to say several things: They would admit that Jesus was the Messiah, but they would deceive many by proclaiming a false Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4) who had come to do away with His Father’s Commandments (Matthew 5:17), including the law against fighting and killing in war. They would also claim that they would be Jesus—as the man of sin will do (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), sitting in the Temple of God, pretending to be God or Jesus who had allegedly returned in his person. Thirdly, they would also proclaim that they are “the Christ” in the sense of “the Messiah”—the Savior or the Deliverer, as so many have claimed in the past and are claiming today.

Christ repeated His warning later on when offense, betrayal and hatred would run rampant (Matthew 24:10). He told us that then “many false prophets will rise and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Many claiming to work for God would deceive many, causing lawlessness to abide and the diminishing of God’s love in His people (verse 12). All of this was to occur when the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached in all the world, and THEN the end of this present evil society will come (verse 14).

We have undoubtedly reached the beginning of that time period (verses 32-34). There are many political and religious leaders, tyrants and despots today who claim or are being viewed as the Savior of mankind, or at least of their countries over which they rule. There are quite a few who have national ambitions of greatness and expansion, of conquering lands which are not their own. But when we warn about this in our StandingWatch programs, sermons and our literature, we are met, at times, with rejection and outright hatred, and sometimes, this even includes viewers and listeners who claim to be in the Body of Christ. Betrayal to government officials might be next, and undoubtedly, hatred will increase, as Christ proclaimed that we will be hated by all nations for His name’s sake (verse 9). Yes, we will continue to proclaim the message of the Gospel which Christ brought—that none of the political or religious leaders are our Savior, and that only Jesus Christ is the One who will come back to establish God’s Kingdom and Rule here on earth and to bring us peace and make an end to war.

What we are observing now are the beginning of sorrows (verse 8), but we have to endure to the end in order to be saved (verse 13). We have to resist all political and religious propaganda which proclaims a false message, lest we be deceived.

When the beast manifests himself in Europe, most people will follow and even “worship” him (Revelation 13:12) and “his image” (Revelation 19:20); but not those who believe the Truth and recognize him as for what he is (Revelation 13:8). But those who resist will be persecuted and might even be killed (Revelation 13:15) … hatred of their fellow man will have reached a climax.

God’s warning to us is loud and clear: Come out of Babylon with its false religious and political teachers and doctrines (Revelation 18:4); and do not even touch anything what is unclean, and then—only then—will God the Father accept us as His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

It seems that Eve didn’t understand or believe the difference or the consequences between what was true and what wasn’t true. God warned Adam and Eve that disobedience to Him would result in their death. Satan, however, deceived Eve with a lie, saying, “‘You will not surely die…’” (Genesis 3:4).

Reading the account about how easily both Adam and Eve sinned should cause us to reflect on ourselves when we face Satan’s deception. Add to that the fact that Satan has deceived the whole world and continues to do so (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9).

Christians have been called to overcome the deception of Satan, but he still relentlessly seeks to deceive us (1 Peter 5:8). We would be mistaken to think that we can’t be deceived. The Apostle Paul confessed his own struggle in this regard, saying: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).

The Apostle James addressed overcoming temptation and the repercussions of falling for deception:

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:12-16).

As human beings, we can’t overcome sin on our own. Just as quoted above about Paul, we need the help of Jesus Christ, Who was tempted but Who never sinned. Satan sought to deceive Jesus by challenging Him with lies, but Jesus overcame him with the Truth and with His commitment to obey God (Matthew 4:1-11). Through God’s Holy Spirit, Christians have help to defeat Satan’s deception:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Deception is powerful, and it can destroy our faith and trust in God. Yet, Jesus gives us the key to overcome the lies of Satan and his rule over this world. That is to know and choose the Truth (John 8:32). Paul adds this instruction for us:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Let’s not make it easy for Satan to deceive us. Rather, we must grow stronger and stronger in our obedience to Jesus Christ and the Father so that we may be found worthy of our calling to salvation in the coming Kingdom of God.

In 1901, Guillermo Marconi sent the first wireless telegraphy message from his base at Poldhu on the Cornish Coast in the UK, to a station at Newfoundland in North America. To say the message was short and sweet was an understatement. Marconi received the single letter, S, sent by Morse telegraphy. The age of transatlantic wireless communication had begun, and like all new technologies, the opportunity for misuse had also commenced. The friction between the still new telephonic technology, and space telegraphy was robust throughout the mid-1800’s, with luminaries of the age arguing the superiority of each.

The development of both telephone and telegraph led to strange attempts to use the devices to communicate with those who have died. This unusual interest was stimulated in part by the odd noise on the wires, or wireless that resulted from electromagnetic signals that some during that era mistook for conversations and signals from beyond the veil of the living. Nonsense, of course, yet rather than seeking God, people of the day devoted their time and money to such evil and demonic pursuits.

Interestingly, the common, and internationally agreed-upon telegraphic signal for crisis or emergency was three dots, followed by three longer dashes, and then three dots once again. These dots and dashes translated into what we came to know as SOS—which was designated around the globe as: Save Our Souls. This was the standard for emergency signals from the 1912 Titanic tragedy, all the way to 1999 when a new global maritime signal convention was put in place.

Many nominal Christians waste time on the search for signals and signs from God. Like the sounds on the telegraph system, people see the hand of God in many strange things. As true Christians however, we have the penultimate sign and promise that we can rely on as we consider Luke 2:12: “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” These simple words are reinforced in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

These words in the Gospel according to Luke and the Book of Isaiah are familiar to many, but for true Christians, they evoke emotion and confidence in God’s promise of a boundless future and the coming Kingdom of God. In these verses, God made it clear that He loves us and sent His Son to be our Savior. This should result in our having great confidence that God will fulfill His promises and cause each of us to reciprocate with our obedience and faithfulness.

There is a popular post circulating on social media that pictures three young women enjoying coffee together at an outdoor cafe. The post makes the ridiculous suggestion that if you squint at the photo, you will see the face of Jesus Christ in the space between girls. People from various religions and backgrounds around the world have posted as to how moved they were by this. This sort of foolishness is just what Satan would like to have us focus on and become distracted by. God has no need for ridiculous signs, and this sort of thing is tantamount to idol worship.

In the Old Testament, as God was leading Moses and the Israelites out of captivity, he worked through Moses to care for His people and had chosen Moses to deliver them from the Egyptians. No further signs or signals were necessary, though the people eventually chose evil and sin by turning to symbols and idols to comfort them in the wilderness.

Imagine being a disciple during Christ’s ministry on earth. To walk beside the Son of God each day, and to witness miracles. Still, in the case of the apostle Thomas, he sought one more sign that this indeed was the risen Christ standing before him.

Although we do not see God directly in our daily lives, if He has called us, we can be certain that He is there, even when, or perhaps especially when the situation we may be in is tough.Consider Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

We know that He is there with us because He tells us so in Scripture. We can read many instances in the Bible that begin as follows: This shall be a sign to you. In the case of Jeremiah 44, we read of God’s anger towards those Jews living in Egypt who were worshiping idols and other false Gods. God makes it crystal clear that there is a penalty for such behavior and disobedience to His commandments. He tells His people that their calamity shall be a sign to them of His righteous anger towards them.

Notice the account of this in Jeremiah 44:29: “And this shall be a sign to you, says the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that My words will surely stand against you for adversity.”Now, we can also signal our intentions to God. Consider Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”This Scripture illustrates a true Christian’s belief that God’s Word should be the light in our lives. However, the best way to affirm this is to obey Him. The Greek word for obey translates to hearing under authority, or, to listen attentively, and to heed. As Jesus Christ said to His apostles in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

So let those of us in God’s true Church focus on sending clear signals to God the Father and His Son, by praying, greeting them each morning and each night, and by obeying and repenting when we fail. God assures us that if we do this, we can have a place in His coming Kingdom.

When you receive this editorial, the Feast of Unleavened Bread will be drawing to a close. These days picture for us the necessity to be on the lookout for sin and to deal with it before it grows in our lives.

As we have gone through this week and have eaten unleavened bread the entire week, it shows that we want to continue to have a relationship with Christ and we want to avoid sin as sin adversely affects our relationship with God. There is a question that we should ask ourselves as we move out of this period of time: What have we done this week to help ourselves overcome our individual sins or sinful proclivities? What is going to be different for us as we move forward into the coming weeks?

We can use this beginning of the Spring Holy Days to help us springboard into further action!

We have heard in many messages the need to change and grow. It is up to us individually, however, to move forward with our conversion. The Bible makes it clear that coming to conversion is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. It is the beginning of transformation, not the conclusion. When we become baptized, we step into a new life that is meant to grow, deepen, and mature. As Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, we are to “abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). But how exactly can we move forward in our conversion in practical and Spiritual ways?

David was also concerned with this very concept.

In Psalm 139:23-24, he said: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

We are so good at self-deception and reasoning that it can be easy to get caught up in doing the wrong things and not see exactly what we need to be seeing, which is why David writes here his need for God to show him and lead him in the right ways!

As we move towards God’s next Holy Day (Pentecost), we should be mindful of continuing to move forward. Here are a few Biblical steps that show how we can grow and use these Feasts of God to their Fullest extent:

1.     Stay Rooted in the Word

1 Peter 2:2 reminds us: “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

The Word of God is our primary source of nourishment. It reshapes our thinking, reveals God’s character, and instructs us in righteousness. Regular reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture is essential if we want to keep moving forward.

2.        Be Devoted to Prayer

Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.”

Prayer isn’t merely about presenting our needs; it’s about building a relationship. In prayer, we align our hearts with God’s, receive His peace, and gain spiritual insight. As we grow in our prayer life, our faith deepens, and our awareness of God’s presence will become more constant.

3.        Put Off the Old Self, Put On the New Self

Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches: “…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Conversion involves continual repentance. It means turning away from old habits and attitudes and actively embracing a life that reflects Christ.

4.        Walk in the Spirit

Paul writes in Galatians 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is our guide in this journey. It convicts, empowers, and leads us toward Christlikeness. Moving forward in conversion requires sensitivity and a willingness to follow His lead daily.

5.        Stay Connected to the Body of Christ

Proverbs 27:17 says: “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Community is crucial. The Church provides encouragement, correction, support, and discipleship. Being in regular fellowship with other believers helps us stay grounded and growing.

6.        Embrace Trials as Growth-Opportunities

James 1:2-4 encourages us: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

God uses hardship to shape us, to expose weak spots, and to strengthen our character. Moving forward sometimes happens most powerfully in the furnace of difficulty.

7.        Keep Your Eyes on Christ

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that we must be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Conversion is not just behavior management; it’s about transformation through proximity to Christ. As we behold Him, we become more like Him.

Conversion is a process of growing in grace, deepening in faith, and becoming more like Jesus. It is not a stagnant state, but a living journey. We move forward in our conversion not only by striving harder, but also, and more importantly, by staying closer to Christ, relying on His Spirit, anchoring ourselves in the Word, and walking in fellowship with others. Let us press on into the fullness of the life God has promised.

God has not called us to a social club, but to work! We are not called to be independent, but to be part of the one body. We have a common work to do, a spiritual Work, as Christ says in John 6:27: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

This Work consists of believing in Christ, doing the things He said, fulfilling the commission He gave us.

The world engages in works that will pass away. Many succeed in this world, but what they have accumulated will be destroyed. They are not called to do God’s Work.

But you and I are called to do God’s Work. Our work will never pass away. We can help others to recognize God’s Ways. We can help others to change their lives through repentance and obedience to God. This kind of work bears fruit that will never pass away.

We must work now, because our work here will soon come to an end. There is a Work to be completed now. Let us not neglect this Work and think we can leave it to others.

We read that one of God’s servants in the time of the apostles was sick and close to death because of the Work of Christ (Philippians 2:25-30).

Christ showed us by example what we should do. At the age of 12, He told His parents that He had to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49).

He had a Work to do, and He got it done. He came to do the Will of God who sent Him, and to finish His Work (John 4:34).

Today, He is still working through us. The harvest is now ripe. We read in John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

And yet sometimes we may want to say: “I will do my part later. I will work next year or in a few months.”

Christ told us not to delay our duties. God wants us to do the Work He has given us now, so that we can all rejoice together, as it says in verse 36: “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

Are we really doing our part? Are we faithful in what God has called us to do? Are we faithful in prayer? Are we an example and a light to others?

We should completely and unequivocally surrender our lives to God, without attaching any conditions. Let us be willing to serve God, even if it is only a small task that He entrusts to us. Let us encourage others to walk in God’s ways.

Let us prepare ourselves for the days ahead and work on ourselves to remove the blemishes, the old leaven from our homes and from our bodies.

1 Corinthians 5:7: “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

Initial translation from German: Damiel Blasinger

When Israel was in the desert following their escape from slavery in Egypt, their lives began to take a new course. God released them from bondage and set them free. He chose Israel as a special people, giving them the opportunity to learn about the laws of God and discover the blessings that come from obedience. God looked at the big picture in this monumental act, knowing that the release from physical slavery was necessary for Israel to begin their journey towards spiritual freedom and growth.

Even though the Israelites cried out to God, asking Him to release them from slavery, they still found reason to complain when He finally emancipated them. They experienced miracles on their left, right and all around them! God opened the Red Sea to lead them away from the danger of the Egyptian army. God provided them with manna from heaven to feed them when they were hungry. He gave them water to drink from a rock when they were thirsty. He led them on a path of safety through the wilderness by a pillar of fire and a cloud of smoke. It was so obvious and clear that God was in their lives, blessing them on their journey, but it was not enough for them.

The question to ask is, why? Why couldn’t Israel see the mighty hand of God in their lives? Why couldn’t they see the big picture of what God was doing for them? The answer is that they had hardened hearts, mired in the world, swept away with the deceptive pleasures it promulgates. The words of the Bible instruct us to note how wrong this way of thinking is and to be different. “‘Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, “They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.” So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest.”’ Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:8-12).

Though Israel was free from bondage, drawn to God to follow Him, they were still stuck in the world. Their focus was not on God, but rather, on the physical comforts they craved. “But they sinned even more against Him By rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness. And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy. Yes, they spoke against God: They said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’” (Psalm 78:17-19). They failed to appreciate what God was doing for them. Instead, all they could think about was their physical condition, and how they wanted more and more and more. But that which really mattered – their relationship with God – they completely neglected.

We have a lot that we can learn by considering the hard hearts of ancient Israel. It’s easy to judge their actions from the lens of hindsight, but we are not that much different. We have the same carnal nature as they did. However, we live in an age in which it is exponentially more difficult to keep our focus because we have so many more sensational distractions to entice our human desires!  If we are not vigilant, we may find ourselves following in the same hard-hearted pattern of living as ancient Israel.

Seeing this, it is prudent to turn our questioning inward. Do we see the mighty hand of God working in our lives? If there was a Scripture written about us, would it say the same kinds of things that the Bible says about ancient Israel? Would it say that we complained about not having our physical comforts given to us? Would it say that we failed to appreciate the spiritual gifts that God abundantly provides? I hope that what God sees in us is much better than that.

We have a tremendous opportunity to be saved from death that awaits us all, but we will only receive it if we overcome the world through Jesus Christ. That means that we must take stock of what matters in our lives and honestly evaluate whether we are investing ourselves virtuously. Do we care too much about what we can collect in this physical life? Do we let those things control our emotions and corrupt our values? I hope not, because we have something so much better to live for.

Just as God led Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, He leads us out of the slavery of sin. This fact is just as miraculous in our lives now as it was for Israel then. This is what should guide us and give us hope, because this is what matters.