Great God, One God, Goodness Of God, Wala Kang Katulad, The Love Of God, I Surrender, O Praise The Name (Anastasis)

If you knew that Christ was coming back tomorrow, how would you live your life today, and why?

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob;

6 “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7 You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised.’ 8 But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord of hosts.

14 “But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

The turmoil around us can make us wonder whether we are living in the end times. Whatever happens, it should remind us to be ready for the Lord’s coming. In Matthew 24, Jesus repeatedly commands His followers to stay alert because no one knows the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:42, 44; Matthew 25:13).

Jesus describes a faithful servant whom the master finds carrying out his responsibilities when he returns (Matthew 24:45–47). Readiness means living faithfully today. Salvation is not earned by good works, but genuine faith is evident in a transformed life.

Malachi speaks to people who had returned from exile. The temple had been rebuilt and sacrifices had resumed, yet the people were discouraged. Their religious activities continued, but their hearts were far from God. They questioned His love and failed to see how they dishonored Him.

GOD LOVES YOU

Malachi begins with God’s declaration: “I have loved you,” but the people respond, “How have You loved us?” (Malachi 1:2). Their question reveals how spiritually insensitive they had become. God had shown them love, yet they could no longer recognize it.

We too can become unaware of God’s love. Pain, financial struggles, betrayal, or painful family experiences can make us wonder whether He cares. Those who grew up with absent or abusive parents may find it difficult to believe God truly loves them. But His love is not based on whether we deserve it. He loves us because of who He is. He declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

God reminded Israel of His choice of Jacob over Esau (Malachi 1:2–5). This language is comparative: God’s covenant love for Jacob and his descendants was distinct. Jesus used similar comparative language when He taught that anyone who loves family more than Him cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:26; Matthew 10:37). He was not commanding us to mistreat our families, but teaching that our loyalty to Him must come first.

Esau traded his birthright for a meal because he valued immediate satisfaction over something with lasting significance (Genesis 25:29–34; Hebrews 12:16–17). He made a choice with serious consequences. Ask yourself: What is your “bowl of soup”? Is it pleasure, money, pride, or something that tempts you to trade eternal value for temporary satisfaction? Do not exchange your future for a moment of pleasure.

God’s love is also redemptive. He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5–6). His correction is not proof that He has abandoned us. It is an expression of His care, calling us to wake up, grow, and make choices that honor Him. Therefore, do not judge God’s love by your circumstances. Instead, view your circumstances in light of who God is.

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BEST If God loves us, how should we respond? We honor Him with our best. Malachi confronted the priests because they offered blind, lame, and sick animals instead of sacrifices worthy of God (Malachi 1:6–8). They would not have presented such gifts to their governor, yet they offered them to the Lord.

Their offerings exposed their hearts. They were going through religious motions while treating God with contempt (Malachi 1:9–10). Honoring God is more than attending worship or appearing religious. It means pleasing Him in private and in public.

What we believe about God shapes our values and actions. Believing He is good and loves us should lead us to trust and obey Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our love for God should shape how we treat others, conduct relationships, and make choices. We cannot honor Him while deliberately disobeying Him.

Jesus quoted Isaiah about people who honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him (Mark 7:6–8). God wants our hearts. He wants sincere worship, willing obedience, and joyful service. The priests in Malachi’s time complained that serving God was tiresome and treated their ministry as a burden (Malachi 1:12–14). We should not serve resentfully, but gladly give God our best.

David understood this when he refused to offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). Our best is not measured against others, but offered sincerely from the heart.

BE READY FOR HIS COMING TODAY

Paul urges believers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer their bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). He wants more than our money, Sunday attendance, or a portion of our time. He wants our whole lives.

Do not postpone serving God until retirement or until life becomes more convenient. Give Him your best years and your best today. Tomorrow is not promised. As the prophet Amos warns, “Prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12).

Preparation takes time. We do not study for an examination only the night before or begin training on competition day. Readiness for Christ’s return is built through daily faithfulness. We cannot wait until the day He comes to begin living for Him.

God loves you. Honor Him with your best. Give Him your heart, your choices, your time, and your life. Do not settle for going through the motions. Start today, and live each day ready to meet the Lord.

Pray that God will help you grow in your love for Him and live each day faithfully. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you honor God in your choices, use your time wisely, and give Him your best.

Care by thinking of someone who may be discouraged, struggling in their faith, or feeling distant from God.  Reach out to that person, listen to them, encourage them, and remind them of God’s love.

Share with someone how God’s love has changed your life and why your relationship with Him matters. Encourage them to know Jesus and make choices that honor God.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• For the Philippines as it hosts the 49th ASEAN Summit on November 16–18: pray for wisdom for the Philippines and ASEAN leaders, peaceful and fruitful discussions, regional cooperation, and safety for all delegates, residents, and security personnel.

•  War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• For the rest of the Israeli hostages to be restored to their families safely. For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the civil war in Syria to end peacefully, protection for Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression for Syrians. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout the country.

• Pray for Sudan and persecuted Christians there; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• Earthquake victims in Burma, Thailand, other countries.

• Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ affected by the disaster in Nepal, especially those who remain missing. Pray that they will be found safely, and that God will strengthen and comfort their families. May the Lord provide for their needs and give them hope and courage as they face the days ahead.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob;