The believers’ motivation to work is driven by the character of God and his commands. As bearers of his image, we work because our Creator works. We imitate our heavenly Father by being like Him. God commands us to work and as our Father, we trust that his commands are good for us, and as His servants we work to please our Father. How? We work to meet the needs of others, that should help us improve the quality of our work regardless of our earthly boss’s character. Whether we have an unjust boss or a very good boss, we work hard and joyfully to please God our heavenly Master. This should also change how we work when we don’t have earthly overseers. We work hard at home as we wash dishes, vacuum, cook, take care of the children, care for the lawn, shovel the snow, etc., because we are working in light of our Creator’s character and command. We’re working for the Lord.

There’s a lot going in the world that strikes fear in the hearts of many. The enemy has launched the spirit of terror in the world. In Luke 21, Jesus told his disciples about certain future events and one of the things Jesus mentioned in verse 26 is that “men's hearts would fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. God’s people do not have to fear but instead walk by faith and not by sight, for God has not given us the spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind. We must trust God!

Satan is the master of inspiration for all false doctrine or that fact, anything that has to do with false, even in the world of unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15(b) says, For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. Even as Satan may appear as an angel of light, so false apostles, teachers, preachers may have a “good” appearance. Paul is showing the Corinthian Christians how foolish it is to rely on image and outward appearances.

Here are several characteristics of false teachers/preachers:

·        False Teachers are men-pleasers. Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners. Jeremiah 23:16-17 says, Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

·        False Teachers throw dirt at Christ’s people. They cast dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ's most faithful ambassadors. For example, Paul, that apostle of the Gentiles, had his ministry undermined and his reputation blasted by false teachers: 'For his letters'' say they, 'are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and contemptible' (2 Cor. 10:10). The false teachers looked upon Paul as a dunce rather than a doctor. And the Scribes and Pharisees laboured for their life to build their own credit upon by attempting to ruin Christ’s reputation.

·        False Teachers Gain from Their Followers. False teachers make merchandise of their followers. 'But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not' (2 Peter 2:1-3). They eye your goods, pick your purse, so they may have your substance to serve themselves, they are great worshippers of the golden calf. (Jeremiah 6:13)

Listen, you do not have to pay peddlers/merchants for the Word of God, you can study for yourself, if you study and spend time in the Word, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to you for free. Paul said in Acts 20:33, that he desired no one’s gold or silver or clothing. Paul also refused the support from some churches so they could not accuse him of greed, (1 Corinthians 9:15-19).

2 Corinthians 2:17 says, For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God [acting like merchants, preaching for profit and personal gain]; but as of sincerity [uncompromised motives], but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ [God is watching].

2 Corinthians 4:2 says, But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully [falsifying God’s Word]; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God [God is watching].

This podcast discussion is about that old sin of racism that will be discussed from a spiritual perspective.

God created freedom and He is very concerned about the just treatment of people, God hates injustice, by the fact that God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross to free those who believe on his name from the bondage and slavery of sin. God has continuously delivered the Israelites of old from bondage/slavery to other nations. God created human beings with a free will partly which is the opportunity to make choices that genuinely affects destiny. The world’s current sinful state is directly linked to choices made by Adam and Eve. God created mankind in His own image, and that included the ability to choose. Since God created human beings to be free, no one has the right to place human beings in bondage, if you do, God will come against you to free those who are held in bondage against their will.

The church is the Body of Christ with many members who are disciples/followers of Christ. Christ who is the founder of the church, he laid his life down and died for the church. Christ is the recruiter for the Body of Christ it was His body that died on the cross, it was His body that rose from the grave. Believers follow Christ and are about our Father’s business, not man’s business (as some used the church as a disguise for their personal business). The church should not resort to business marketing strategies to draw people, John 12:32 says And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

When Jesus told Peter upon this rock I will build my church, Jesus is the rock, the foundation upon which to build.  Jesus was not saying upon this rock I will build a 5,000 sq. ft. building with glass stained windows.  Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church (body of believers). For instance, the early church was under intense opposition, persecution and attacks from the gates of hell, but Jesus conquered the grave so that the gates of hell (power of death) will not prevail or defeat those who are in Christ.

Metaphorically in scriptures, the church is referred to as the Bride of Christ used to describe God’s relationship with his beloved bride. God reveals Himself to be faithful, loving and committed to a covenant union with his church that encompasses all those who believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted His atonement and gift of salvation by way of the cross. The functionality of the church is referred to in the Word of God as the Body of Christ made up of one body, Christ as the head (who is the chief cornerstone) and many members without hierarchy, superiority or inferiority and should function in unity of the Spirit of God.

Covid-19 is an invisible enemy, meaning we are fighting an enemy we cannot see but has manifested itself in physical form through symptoms, disease and death. What makes people indifferent or not take this war on the coronavirus serious in everyday living, is that people tend to ignore or not believe what they cannot see. The coronavirus carries spiritual implications and valuable lessons that can be learned from this pandemic. What message is the Lord conveying to all mankind including the church? Most importantly are we listening and learning? He who has ears, let him hear the Word of the Lord, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.