This rebuke of Peter, whom Jesus had previously called a "rock", is one of His sayings that has stood out for me. One recent early morning, it came in very handy.

My wife became ill several months ago, and I brought her to the hospital. Her blood pressure was high and unstable. They admitted her for testing. The next day, they said that I could bring her home. When I entered her room, the head nurse said that she couldn't leave because her blood pressure was still very unstable. I left disappointed.

That night, I fell asleep on my living room couch. At exactly 3:00 a.m., I felt a cold hand grab my left arm. Immediately, I awoke and saw a hairless, slate-coloured, grey arm holding me down. I thought that someone had broken into my home. I couldn't see a face because he was wearing a monk's-style robe with an attached hood over his head. All at once, I knew that it wasn't a break-in. I was terrified. I felt an evil presence. He grabbed my right arm as I began to lift it, but I pulled it away. Remembering that my Bible was next to me on the coffee table, I placed my hand on it and yelled out loud, "Get behind me Satan, in the name of Jesus!" In a flash, he was gone. I believe that it was evil personified.

The following day, I was able to bring my wife home. Her blood pressure had stabilized and was back to normal. The doctors did not know what had happened or why, but I do. Praise God!

Wow! What a friend we have in Jesus! The sheer mention of His name is more powerful than any high-powered gun or rifle. I pray that those hearing or reading this will not have a similar experience, but if it does indeed occur, remember that our God is a true and living God Who is above all principalities. There is none else like Him.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for all that You do for us here on this earth. Sometimes, we forget that we can come to You for everything, whether great or small. All of our needs You are aware of. All we need to do is lay them at Your holy and blessed feet. Amen.

My uncle, who was also my godfather, served in the armed forces in Europe as a sergeant in World War II. I remember him telling me that there were no atheists in the foxholes while they were being fired upon and eluding bombs. Although I had heard this expression before, however, coming from my uncle, these words left a lasting impression on me. It raised serious questions in my mind about faith versus unbelief and good versus evil. Pondering these thoughts, I realized that many atheists reject God because of the evil and suffering in the world. But to me, the very existence of evil in itself indicates that there is a God — otherwise how could we determine what actually is good and what is not? How could we consistently define evil without some standard of measurement imposed on everyone from outside the system? Who could have given us this standard, if not God?

Ultimately, the Lord's goodness was personified when His Son came to this earth as God incarnate. Through us, the light of His goodness continues to shine in the darkness. But we are also given the gift of free will. Thus, it is up to us to follow His light, making the right spiritual decisions. Accepting the Scriptures as our moral compass, we can distinguish the difference between good and evil, darkness and light.

Some insist that God, heaven, Satan, and hell are merely a religious theory based on a book written by man. Therefore, we can do as we please while on this earth, because there are no eternal consequences. If they are correct, then when one dies, there's nothing, since the soul or spirit do not exist. But on the other hand, if this view is wrong and believers are correct, then they have made a very tragic mistake.

Despite the evil and darkness of this world, God's light and goodness abound. Personally, I will stick with the Christian belief in the one and only true living God. There is overwhelming evidence for His existence. May we seek to glorify Him in all that we do, so that others will be drawn into His marvellous light.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we pray that those who may be seeking knowledge of Your existence will be given the discernment which can come only from Your Holy Spirit. May they find Your truth and worship You as Lord of lords and King of kings. This we ask in Your holy name. Amen.

In North America, we have what is called Daylight Saving Time, which merely means turning our clocks ahead one hour. This action is done on the second Sunday of March. In actuality, we don't get a minute more of daylight. What we do get is an hour more of light in the evening, and an hour less in the morning. It is the encroaching darkness of nightfall that many of us want to postpone so eagerly. It almost appears as a miracle every year when Daylight Saving Time comes around. For us who welcome the sunlight as a reflection of the light of God, Daylight Saving Time is surely a minor miracle. It seems to mirror the larger miracle of light as a sort of symbol of God-with-us.

Matthew 4:16 – The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. (NKJV)

We know that God made the sun, moon, and stars to illuminate this world for us. We are told in Exodus 34:30 that the face of Moses, having seen God, shone, so that the Israelites were afraid to come near him. We know that Jesus is the light of the world, and that at His transfiguration, "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2b NKJV). We know that the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire. Finally, we know that we are to let our own God-given light shine upon all people to glorify God. One thing that we do know for sure is that we do not want to be "a people who sit in darkness". Thank God that He has blessed us with a reminder that we are not in darkness, and that we are to walk as children of light.

2 Corinthians 4:6 – For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:8-10 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. (NKJV)

Prayer: Jesus, You are the light and beacon of this world. Please illuminate our way. Remind us to shine with the light of the gospel. Reveal to us Your teachings about the way that we conduct ourselves. Also, help us to overcome the darkness with Your uncompromising light. Show us the path back into Your grace. Help us to use the extra hour of light at the end of the day to rejoice in Your light and to do Your will. Amen.

There was a time when I turned my back on God. I denied His existence. He took my best friend — my father — even though I prayed that He'd heal and keep him on this earth. I was only nine then, but for many years, I wanted nothing to do with God. Although later I married and had three children, my heart was still hardened.

My wife was a believer, so naturally, she tried to encourage me to read the Scriptures, but the more she tried, the more hostile I became. I wanted to stop her from witnessing to others; at one point, she hid the family Bible in our home. Finally, she prayed that God would deal with me, and so He did. In a horrific and vivid dream, I saw myself entering the pit of hell. The sights, sounds, and stench were indescribable. I was literally scared to death. Shortly thereafter, God lightened my heart. I knew how much He truly loved me. One week later, at 3:00 a.m., I wrote the following:

You know I met a man today
He stands about six feet tall
He seems to be a friendly sort
With eyes so remarkable

I think that I could like this man
For I know that He likes me
He's got such strength and character
Yet He's as calm as the sea

There's something that He wants
I'm not sure what it be
Although I sense it in my heart
It's love He wants from me

His voice is soft, harassing not
With words that are so true
If love had looks then it'd be
He who stands in front of me

He's leaving now, but He will return
As He has said to us
So I asked His name before He went
And He just smiled and said, "Jesus."

This was how the Lord revealed Himself to me. Now, I believe that His Word is true and our Lord God is real. His existence cannot be denied.

Perhaps, you're going through a similar experience and feeling angry with God, or maybe just praying for a loved one whose heart has also been hardened. If so, this testimony will be an encouragement to you. I am not a writer and surely not a poet; it is only by God's grace that I share this experience. Anything is possible with God. We need only let Him into our hearts. Then, truly, we will see and be with Him.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, please hear our prayer that if someone has declared Your non-existence or turned their back on You, You would soften their hearts and clear their minds so that they will feel Your endless love for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Recently, my Bible study group began studying the book of Revelation. Contemplating our discussions in regards to the seven churches, I was inspired to write what I felt Jesus may be saying to the Church in the West today. From a Christian perspective, the following letter expresses my view of the rapidly changing world in which we live, a critical period in church history. Now is the time for believers to stand up for the faith.

To the angel of the Church in the West:

I blessed you because you established and based yourselves in My holy name — a church that would continue to spread the gospel news. By keeping the Word and continually denying yourselves with sacrifice, you have assisted many, both at home and abroad. Even to the least of these, you've done it to Me.

But due to sheer complacency and refutation, your heart has been changed. Satan has deceived you and you have accepted it. My name has been removed from your schools, meeting places, institutions, and government; atrociously, my helpless ones are being slaughtered by the millions. Because of your lukewarm hearts and backsliding, My patience will cease. Time is of the essence.

Concerning the above message, what do you believe the angel of God would say to your church? Will there be praise, tidings of gladness, and fruitful sayings, or will there be harsh words and demands of repentance? How blameless will it be? Ask these questions. My prayer and hope is that it will be the former.

Prayer: O heavenly Father, we pray that people will contemplate and come to the realization of the ultimate sacrifice that Your beloved Son made for the sins of mankind. We know that it is not too late for us to receive total salvation through Your grace, if we simply come to Him and accept Him as our one and only Lord and Saviour, for You are a forgiving and loving God. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.