There is no doubt Jesus is going to return, even though he promised his return some 2000 years ago. God's promises may be old, but all his promises are true, and he will bless us when those promises are fulfilled. All we need to do is continue to trust him, look to him, and follow him. A simple process, but Satan and our human nature wants to look at everything we should not look at. Be faithful to God, never look around you. Always trust the promises of Jesus. He will always keep his word.

Gathering with the local church is more than attending a weekly religious event. It is one of God's appointed means of strengthening, encouraging, and sanctifying His people. Dave Jenkins explains why the preaching of God's Word stands at the center of the church gathering, how baptism and the Lord's Supper visibly proclaim the gospel, and why physical presence cannot be fully replaced by a livestream. He also considers how corporate worship moves Christians from being consumers to active participants in the life of Christ's body. The gathered church is not another obligation on the Christian's spiritual checklist. It is a gracious gift through which believers worship God, encourage one another, and grow together in Christ. For more from Equipping You in Grace, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: 2 Thessalonians 3 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanier https://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360

In today's chaotic digital age, our spiritual well-being can easily become compromised by the overwhelming influence of social media. Platforms like TikTok, while providing valuable connections and resources, can also lead us into a cycle of comparison, distraction, and even sin. As we engage with these platforms, we risk losing sight of our spiritual priorities. Scripture reminds us in Hebrews 10:24-25 of the importance of gathering as a community, emphasizing that online interactions can never replace the depth offered by in-person fellowship. The allure of social media can distract us from our devotion to God, leading to spiritual neglect, as outlined in 2 Timothy 3:1-7, which warns of a culture that prioritizes self over God. We must reflect on how our digital consumption shapes our hearts and actions. Are we using these tools to build others up, or are we allowing them to tear us down? Proverbs 14:1 teaches that wisdom builds up, while folly destroys. As we navigate these platforms, let's take a moment to consider what truly matters and how our digital habits align with God's will.

On this Let's Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Kevin Swanson from Generations Media Network in the USA, and they explore the urgent necessity of spiritual revival, arguing that the church faces a choice between renewal or decline. They emphasise the need to return to the biblical model of Pentecost found in Acts, characterised by forty days of prayer and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This divine intervention is presented as the source for bold evangelism, generational faith restoration, and cross-cultural unity among believers. Historical examples from Fiji and South Africa illustrate how the Holy Spirit transforms societies through conviction of sin and the reception of mercy.