Richard Franz

Mankind’s history is littered with stories and accounts of people betraying or attempting to hoodwink their fellow man. Biblical accounts include Cain’s murder of his younger brother Abel, Jacob’s trickery of his elder brother Esau, Delilah’s attempts to undermine the mighty Samson, and the betrayal of Jesus Christ by His disciple Judas. And in many cultures around the world, stories of trickeries both failed and successful fill entire anthologies.

Technology today touches nearly every aspect of life and is now even reaching into the spiritual realm. Platforms such as “Text With Jesus” and “FaithGPT” allow users to engage in simulated conversations with A.I.-generated representations of biblical figures. Many turn to these tools for guidance, comfort, or reflection.

Did you know that you’ve been playing a game your entire life, maybe without even realizing it? Every morning, you wake up with a full pitcher of water. Throughout the day, you pour that water into various cups. By the time you go to sleep, the pitcher is empty. The goal? Pour the water into the right cups!

At its core, graciousness is an echo of divine character. When Jesus began His ministry, He declared not only “the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14–15) but also modeled a manner of speech that disarmed hostility and drew out the best in people (John 8:1–11). He chose words not of contempt but of truth and compassion. That same mix of honesty and respect is the very lifeblood of true graciousness.

The convergence of multiple global crises in 2025 presents a sobering picture of an Almighty God who is preparing the world for end-time events.