Wandson Santana

WHAT YOUR LIFE SHOULD LOOK LIKE

You are called to live radically different than the world. When you get saved and give your life to Christ, you give him everything…your dreams, aspirations, hidden lifestyles, secret sins, patterns of thinking, addictions, gifts, talents, time – you must give God the good and the bad. He’ll take it all…The problem is we keep some things to ourselves and confess Jesus while walking like the world. We’ve got to move on from the way we used to live and fully pursue the life, calling, and destiny God has for us.

Paul teaches this perfectly in Ephesians 4:17-24. The verses are mapped out below in red with some commentary added beneath.

“Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused…”

This has never been more true- people are confused about the future, politics, their identity, gender..you name it.

“Their minds are full of darkness;”

When you don’t have God, your mind has no light- dark thoughts, evil thoughts, hopeless thoughts surround you.

“they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.”

This is why some people who are closed off to God and will not accept him…their minds are closed off so they can never have ‘the mind of Christ’. They will never receive revelation or be illuminated to the truths of God- they are closed off. Their hearts are hardened and so God cannot soften them. Because of this, they ‘wander’ far away from the life God has for them. Maybe you’ve been there..You knew the truth but because of a hard heart you intentionally moved in the opposite direction from God. People will give the illusion they are making progress but without God, they’re just wandering in life. You can accumulate wealth, status, and even good things while in reality, outside of God, you’re just wandering and inside you’re wondering ‘what’s the purpose?’.

“They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.”

Our sense of shame is gone. The world has gone numb. ‘If it feels good then it must be okay’ is the new mantra of a generation chasing pleasure by practicing impurityv. We’re naked but unashamed…perversion is rampant…sex is flippant…sexuality sells…porn is more public than ever. We have a problem and we know it. Let God restore our sense of shame so our eyes would be open to the dark levels of impurity we’ve allowed.

“But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.”

Paul makes it clear…This is not what we learned and we should have no part with it. We’ve got to throw off the old…our former way of life should no longer exist when we are in Christ Jesus. Get rid of every part of it…Throw it off…leave no trace.

“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”

The Holy Spirit will lead us and help us in our thoughts and in our emotions. Ask God to give you wisdom and to renew your mind. You don’t have to keep your old patterns of thinking alive while you follow Jesus. He can give us a “sound mind” free from the darkness in our pasts.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

When we throw away our old nature, God doesnt leave us exposed…We can put on a new nature.. We put on Christ like the Bible teaches and walk as righteous and holy men. This is the goal. To be fully IN CHRIST having cast away every trace of our old life walking as holy men of God.

What are you clinging to from your old life that you need to throw off?

Remnant, was this blog helpful to you? Leave a comment and let us know.

HOW TO LEAD YOUR FAMILY AND BUILD GOD’S HOUSE

The church is built on strong marriages and families dedicated to God’s House, forming a community that supports and nurtures each other through faith and commitment. Like a forest of intertwined roots, our strength comes from being connected. Generations before us laid a foundation with their dedication and faithfulness, creating a solid base that we must now continue building upon.

Therefore, we need to see our families as an integral part of God’s House. We are not merely attenders or receivers; we are builders and contributors and for the long haul. Anyone can be passionate for a season or short time, but to be faithful to the end with a godly family following Christ and building His house, that is exceptional.

Power Couples in Faith

Nothing is more powerful than a couple building God’s house together. Imagine the impact of couples like Abraham and Sarah, who obeyed God’s call and went by faith, not knowing where they were going (Hebrews 11:8). They trusted in God’s plan and were blessed for their obedience. Similarly, Aquila and Priscilla risked their lives for Paul and planted a church in their home, developing leaders and spreading the gospel (Romans 16:3-4). These examples show us the strength and impact of serving together faithfully, becoming true ‘power couples’ in faith. How can you pursue this with your family? Below are some practical truths we must understand.

3 Truths On Building God’s House with Your Family

#1 There is no such thing as “perfect balance”, only unity.

Everyone is looking for balance. How do I balance my work, life, ministry, marriage, parenting, projects, emotions…the list can go on. The truth is there is no such thing as perfect balance. I hope that sets you free a bit. Instead we need to understand that a husband, wife, and the Lord form together a three-braided cord that is not easily broken. This is a picture of unity and strength. Your unity together will bring stability to your life.

Unity can be challenging, especially when your spouse is the opposite of you. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Learn to embrace your differences with your wife;  she makes you whole. Newly married couples, remember that some tension arises from resisting the truth that your spouse may be 100% different than you. These differences are strengths, not weaknesses. When you come together, you fill in each other’s gaps, creating a complete, unified partnership.

Colossians 3:19 encourages husbands to love their wives and not be harsh, bringing warmth and structure to the home like a well-structured fireplace rather than a loose wildfire. Men, be intentional and gentle, ensuring your home is a place of warmth and security, not chaos. Strive for unity in your home and marriage.

#2 Take your kids along on the ride. 

My wife and I learned early on the importance of modeling our faith to our children. We talk about church, share our excitement for ministry, and invite the Holy Spirit into our lives every single day. Our daughters see our commitment and love for the church, and it influences them deeply. I encourage you to pray together with your family, take communion, and involve them in your church activities. It won’t always be perfect, especially with young children, but it’s a lifestyle. Early Sunday mornings, skipped naps, and late prayer nights became a part of our rhythm. We can choose to embrace it and love it and I believe we are blessed by it. Model what being a living sacrifice unto the Lord looks like and watch your children follow suit.

#3 When you build God’s house, He will take care of yours. 

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” This assures us that God knows the work we do in His house, he isn’t oblivious to the labor, sacrifice, serving, and giving that is happening. Our work matters to Him and He is just and will repay his servants.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

You see, the world chases after material things, bringing anxiety and emptiness to their lives; but we, as followers of Christ, prioritize His Kingdom and Jesus says, “all these things” will be added to us. We must choose to put God’s Kingdom first and to trust that He will acknowledge our faithfulness and be our Provider in all that we need. I remember when my wife and I were looking for our first house. By some miraculous way not only did we find a perfect home for a newly married couple, but we could afford it, had to put no money down, and it cost less than the rent we were paying already. God provided in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

Personal Reflection Question: Do you see your family as an integral part of the local church?

The church is built up bystrong marriages and families committed to the House of the Lord and seeking first the Kingdom of God. I pray your family is a pillar in the House of God leaving an eternal legacy as we build together, rooted in faith and united in God’s purpose.

Remnant, was this blog helpful to you? Leave a comment and let us know.