CAN YOU NOT SEE?

There are many things in our lives that we cannot see with our eyes yet we know beyond all doubt that they exist and that they have impact on our conduct. We cannot see the wind but we certainly see and feel the effects of the wind. Sometimes in a very big way! We cannot see electricity, but the effects we can. Those of us who have grabbed the wrong wire will testify LOUDLY as to its presence. Gravity is another power we are well acquainted with. Falling off of the ladder confirms its presence.

The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit have not been seen by our earthly eyes yet we do see the effects of the God Head's power, might and mercy.

1Pe 1:8 ....Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

2Co 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight—Wouldn't it be neat if we could just put on a pair of "Spiritual" glasses and see Jesus as he truly is right now? In a way, we actually can. The glasses we would peer through exists in the form of The WORD. Holy Scripture is the lens through which we can see our Lord. The more you focus on the WORD, the clearer the view. No Bi-Focals needed!

1Jn 4:19 We love, because He first loved us. Seven words. Beautiful words that show clearly the source of that powerful quality that our God breathed into us when we elected to receive His gift.

1Jn 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Sharpen your eyesight, broaden your field of view, focus on the eternal TRUTH. Then look in the mirror and be in awe of HIM in you.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

CAN YOU NOT SEE?

There are many things in our lives that we cannot see with our eyes yet we know beyond all doubt that they exist and that they have impact on our conduct. We cannot see the wind but we certainly see and feel the effects of the wind. Sometimes in a very big way! We cannot see electricity, but the effects we can. Those of us who have grabbed the wrong wire will testify LOUDLY as to its presence. Gravity is another power we are well acquainted with. Falling off of the ladder confirms its presence.

The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit have not been seen by our earthly eyes yet we do see the effects of the God Head's power, might and mercy.

1Pe 1:8 ....Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

2Co 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight—Wouldn't it be neat if we could just put on a pair of "Spiritual" glasses and see Jesus as he truly is right now? In a way, we actually can. The glasses we would peer through exists in the form of The WORD. Holy Scripture is the lens through which we can see our Lord. The more you focus on the WORD, the clearer the view. No Bi-Focals needed!

1Jn 4:19 We love, because He first loved us. Seven words. Beautiful words that show clearly the source of that powerful quality that our God breathed into us when we elected to receive His gift.

1Jn 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Sharpen your eyesight, broaden your field of view, focus on the eternal TRUTH. Then look in the mirror and be in awe of HIM in you.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HOW DO WE HEAL?

Grief is a powerful emotion. It is experienced, expressed, or suffered in one form or another by most of the animal kingdom; Humans especially. Elephants process their grief through internal programming given them by God. By this programming, the huge beasts truly mourn over the death of one of their own, sometimes for days or even weeks. They also say that an elephant never forgets!

The anguish is expressed and shared among them in a familial way. The fact that the elephant cannot process or reason WHY the death occurred, the pain of loss they experience is no less deep and powerful.

Grief appears translated in our Bible through 20 different Hebrew words. Words that are a wide swath of meaning in their contexts ranging from being disappointed to wishing for death as results of events or losses.

The less frequency in the New Testament of words denoting “grief” is significant. Christ came “to comfort all that mourn - to give a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Christians, however, cannot but feel sorrow and be moved by grief, and it is to be noted that in both the Old Testament and New Testament, God Himself is said to be susceptible to grief. [International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ISBE]

Why do we grieve so deeply? Why does it hurt so much? Why does it seem as though the grief will never end? One word; LOVE.

Grief of loss comes out of love: [2Co 2:4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

The great healing anesthetic for the pain of grief is to allow yourself to grieve. In that process of grieving, there are no set rules, no time limits, no easy answers or shortcuts. Grieving reduces grief.

In my opinion, grief never truly leaves us. It just becomes more bearable.

A friend once told me that {You never really get over the loss, but through prayer and faith in Jesus, you begin to see the potholes in the road ahead and learn to steer around them}

The power of grief creates a firestorm of emotion. Physically painful, in some cases debilitating. A fire storm erupts inside you, you can't sleep. Smells, sounds, foods all trigger memories and it seems the fire never dies down.

This is grief. By giving yourself permission to truly grieve the loss, to cry, to remember, to cherish, to wish it could be changed back to the way it was before, all of these are components to that flame.

In time, in grieving, eventually the towering blaze of grief will be reduced smaller and smaller. Some say to about the size of a small glowing ember. An ember that can be safely placed into the archive of your heart where it shall reside for the balance of your days.

We all have our own personal internal clock that tells us when we need to move ahead in our grief. Listen to that clock (The Holy Spirit). This grief that you suffer is personal. It is unique to the person being grieved.

As you grieve, you will find your way. Listen to the Holy Spirit, pray, place one foot in front of the other and trust in Him.

This is how we heal.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HOW DO WE HEAL?

Grief is a powerful emotion. It is experienced, expressed, or suffered in one form or another by most of the animal kingdom; Humans especially. Elephants process their grief through internal programming given them by God. By this programming, the huge beasts truly mourn over the death of one of their own, sometimes for days or even weeks. They also say that an elephant never forgets!

The anguish is expressed and shared among them in a familial way. The fact that the elephant cannot process or reason WHY the death occurred, the pain of loss they experience is no less deep and powerful.

Grief appears translated in our Bible through 20 different Hebrew words. Words that are a wide swath of meaning in their contexts ranging from being disappointed to wishing for death as results of events or losses.

The less frequency in the New Testament of words denoting “grief” is significant. Christ came “to comfort all that mourn - to give a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Christians, however, cannot but feel sorrow and be moved by grief, and it is to be noted that in both the Old Testament and New Testament, God Himself is said to be susceptible to grief. [International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ISBE]

Why do we grieve so deeply? Why does it hurt so much? Why does it seem as though the grief will never end? One word; LOVE.

Grief of loss comes out of love: [2Co 2:4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

The great healing anesthetic for the pain of grief is to allow yourself to grieve. In that process of grieving, there are no set rules, no time limits, no easy answers or shortcuts. Grieving reduces grief.

In my opinion, grief never truly leaves us. It just becomes more bearable.

A friend once told me that {You never really get over the loss, but through prayer and faith in Jesus, you begin to see the potholes in the road ahead and learn to steer around them}

The power of grief creates a firestorm of emotion. Physically painful, in some cases debilitating. A fire storm erupts inside you, you can't sleep. Smells, sounds, foods all trigger memories and it seems the fire never dies down.

This is grief. By giving yourself permission to truly grieve the loss, to cry, to remember, to cherish, to wish it could be changed back to the way it was before, all of these are components to that flame.

In time, in grieving, eventually the towering blaze of grief will be reduced smaller and smaller. Some say to about the size of a small glowing ember. An ember that can be safely placed into the archive of your heart where it shall reside for the balance of your days.

We all have our own personal internal clock that tells us when we need to move ahead in our grief. Listen to that clock (The Holy Spirit). This grief that you suffer is personal. It is unique to the person being grieved.

As you grieve, you will find your way. Listen to the Holy Spirit, pray, place one foot in front of the other and trust in Him.

This is how we heal.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

TALKING TO THE BOSS

Almighty Father, our collective hearts are broken over the senseless and selfish act that snuffed out the lives of seventeen precious souls in Florida yesterday. Majesty of heaven, Creator of all that is, help us to find an answer for such tragedy and horror. We plead our question and lift up our supplication to Your Worshipful throne. We ask the question knowing full well that the answer might lie within us all, and if this be so, may that certain knowledge throw us to our knees in sobbing regret. We beg you Father, open our eyes, Amen.

Over the last 40 years a terrible thing has happened. We as a society have witnessed, with great indifference, the death of a vital part of God's plan for us. It occurred in silence. It became progressive, malignant as cancer. Hardly an eyebrow was raised as it effectively changed the very landscape of all that we hold dear.

Even in its death and burial, we express an arrogant gait as we tread upon the very grave that once gave life and meaning to the core of our being.

We Morn The Family.

1Ti 5:4 ... they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Years ago, driving down most any lane in most any city or town late in the afternoon would be met with the sound and sight of children outside. Playing, running, jumping, climbing trees, skinning knees. Mom would come to the front door to peek out and check on the kids. Everybody knew what time dinner was served, and we made sure we were washed up and and ready to eat when Dad got home. Dad had a game he loved to play when any of us kids would show up at the table with unwashed hands. He called it, "Beat the Belt". We discovered that beating the belt was an impossible task.

The dinner table ritual was a really big deal. It was here we related the events of the day, and a few of us was cajoled to confess the day's sins as we stuffed our faces with potatoes and snap beans.

I really noticed yesterday and again today the absolute absence of children playing outside. Rarely do I see a kid on a bike, or a rope swing in a yard. Dinner time is, well, sort of when ever hunger calls. The dinner table now has become the pace where you pick up your plate, and return it empty. You eat where you want. Dad now waltzes in, grabs his plate at the table, then parks himself in front of the tube for Monday night Football. The kids? Well, they sometimes show up, and they just seem to go somewhere until they are hungry again. Welcome to today's family life!

I had lunch yesterday at an eatery located directly across the street from a local High School. It was lunch time. In a matter of moments, I estimate nearly 100 frittering 15, 16 & 17 years-old had magically appeared in this small business. What I missed was the noise that you would assume accompanies such a mass of youthdum. It was odd. Then I took a look around. 100 kids, 100 cell phones, thousands of small fingers flying over tiny keyboards, each child oblivious to any events going on around them. I had to pause a moment to be sure that I was not in the middle of a Twilight Zone Episode.

I finished my bowl of soup and gave up my space to several teens waiting for the "Old Guy" to vacate "Their Spot". I left not knowing that at that very moment in South Florida, for at least 16 souls, texting would cease forever.

Without the family bond, that special core, the daily vital exchange of information, laughter, accountability, confession, and expressions of sincere love, we leave behind a Godless void that results in our children becoming isolationists. The feedback and exchange they once participated in around the family dinner table is now replaced by the cold, indifferent and dangerous world of cyber space. We, you and me, Moms and Dads, Grandpa and Grandma we all turned a blind eye to the evolution of this horror. God would likely agree, in part, to this assessment. But God also knows how crushingly terrible it would be to our hearts to know that we all played a role in the years of arrogant ignorance to the monsters we might be creating when we allowed God to be chased from the classroom, and the family core to be destroyed and replaced with Utube and Grand Theft Auto 4.8. Here is a preview of what's next:

Luk 12:53 "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

Lord God, help us to turn the tide in the remaining time we have here, to breathe new life into our Family Core. Give us the courage, backbone, stamina and wisdom to return to Your plan, Your guide and instill in our sons and daughters the value and bond of Spiritually led family leadership. Our God and our children deserve nothing less, In Christ we pray, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

TALKING TO THE BOSS

Almighty Father, our collective hearts are broken over the senseless and selfish act that snuffed out the lives of seventeen precious souls in Florida yesterday. Majesty of heaven, Creator of all that is, help us to find an answer for such tragedy and horror. We plead our question and lift up our supplication to Your Worshipful throne. We ask the question knowing full well that the answer might lie within us all, and if this be so, may that certain knowledge throw us to our knees in sobbing regret. We beg you Father, open our eyes, Amen.

Over the last 40 years a terrible thing has happened. We as a society have witnessed, with great indifference, the death of a vital part of God's plan for us. It occurred in silence. It became progressive, malignant as cancer. Hardly an eyebrow was raised as it effectively changed the very landscape of all that we hold dear.

Even in its death and burial, we express an arrogant gait as we tread upon the very grave that once gave life and meaning to the core of our being.

We Morn The Family.

1Ti 5:4 ... they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Years ago, driving down most any lane in most any city or town late in the afternoon would be met with the sound and sight of children outside. Playing, running, jumping, climbing trees, skinning knees. Mom would come to the front door to peek out and check on the kids. Everybody knew what time dinner was served, and we made sure we were washed up and and ready to eat when Dad got home. Dad had a game he loved to play when any of us kids would show up at the table with unwashed hands. He called it, "Beat the Belt". We discovered that beating the belt was an impossible task.

The dinner table ritual was a really big deal. It was here we related the events of the day, and a few of us was cajoled to confess the day's sins as we stuffed our faces with potatoes and snap beans.

I really noticed yesterday and again today the absolute absence of children playing outside. Rarely do I see a kid on a bike, or a rope swing in a yard. Dinner time is, well, sort of when ever hunger calls. The dinner table now has become the pace where you pick up your plate, and return it empty. You eat where you want. Dad now waltzes in, grabs his plate at the table, then parks himself in front of the tube for Monday night Football. The kids? Well, they sometimes show up, and they just seem to go somewhere until they are hungry again. Welcome to today's family life!

I had lunch yesterday at an eatery located directly across the street from a local High School. It was lunch time. In a matter of moments, I estimate nearly 100 frittering 15, 16 & 17 years-old had magically appeared in this small business. What I missed was the noise that you would assume accompanies such a mass of youthdum. It was odd. Then I took a look around. 100 kids, 100 cell phones, thousands of small fingers flying over tiny keyboards, each child oblivious to any events going on around them. I had to pause a moment to be sure that I was not in the middle of a Twilight Zone Episode.

I finished my bowl of soup and gave up my space to several teens waiting for the "Old Guy" to vacate "Their Spot". I left not knowing that at that very moment in South Florida, for at least 16 souls, texting would cease forever.

Without the family bond, that special core, the daily vital exchange of information, laughter, accountability, confession, and expressions of sincere love, we leave behind a Godless void that results in our children becoming isolationists. The feedback and exchange they once participated in around the family dinner table is now replaced by the cold, indifferent and dangerous world of cyber space. We, you and me, Moms and Dads, Grandpa and Grandma we all turned a blind eye to the evolution of this horror. God would likely agree, in part, to this assessment. But God also knows how crushingly terrible it would be to our hearts to know that we all played a role in the years of arrogant ignorance to the monsters we might be creating when we allowed God to be chased from the classroom, and the family core to be destroyed and replaced with Utube and Grand Theft Auto 4.8. Here is a preview of what's next:

Luk 12:53 "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

Lord God, help us to turn the tide in the remaining time we have here, to breathe new life into our Family Core. Give us the courage, backbone, stamina and wisdom to return to Your plan, Your guide and instill in our sons and daughters the value and bond of Spiritually led family leadership. Our God and our children deserve nothing less, In Christ we pray, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

JUST PRAY

Jas 5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray... (14) Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Prayer is so very powerful. Prayer is our direct connection to the Kingdom and through the promise of Christ, access to the ear of God Almighty. When there is more than just you praying, the prayer circuit becomes an even higher priority through the celestial exchange. I'm not completely certain how it all works, I just know that it does and the results are often breath-taking.

I suppose if I had to hazard a guess, I do believe that a typical prayer might flow something like this; The prayer begins in our heart. As the words of that prayer travels to the lips, whether silent or audible, the Holy Spirit translates our fleshly prayer language into the spiritual frequency of God. As a believer, the moment the prayer (or the prayers of those who are with you) are received on the Kingdom switchboard, The light of Jesus flashes brightly. This tells God that the incoming prayer is inbound from one of His own. God listens closely to these prayers. He loves to hear our voices. God answers these prayers. Prayers that bring glory to the Father, the Son and to the Holy Spirit are all answered. They are answered in His time and in His way. Yes, sometimes, even a no to a prayer is an answer. He always answers the prayers of those who are His.

When is the last time someone prayed for you? Actually laid hands on you? It happened to me last week as I was about to be operated on. There I was, just got situated on the operating table, the team was gathered around and I said a short prayer of God's blessing on the members of the surgical team. Every member of medical professionals gather around me, placed their hands on my chest and prayed for me. I had tears in my eyes. Then, came the mask on my face and it was lights out. I went out knowing that I was in good hands. Prayer works. Prayer is powerful.

Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Ephesians;

Eph 6:18-20 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (19) and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Pray for me. I can always benefit from prayer, always!

Father, please continue to teach us effective prayer. Show us Your way, give us the wisdom to lean greatly on the Holy Spirit within us, to guide and offer prayers that bring glory to You and serve to honor Your will and Your way, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

JUST PRAY

Jas 5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray... (14) Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Prayer is so very powerful. Prayer is our direct connection to the Kingdom and through the promise of Christ, access to the ear of God Almighty. When there is more than just you praying, the prayer circuit becomes an even higher priority through the celestial exchange. I'm not completely certain how it all works, I just know that it does and the results are often breath-taking.

I suppose if I had to hazard a guess, I do believe that a typical prayer might flow something like this; The prayer begins in our heart. As the words of that prayer travels to the lips, whether silent or audible, the Holy Spirit translates our fleshly prayer language into the spiritual frequency of God. As a believer, the moment the prayer (or the prayers of those who are with you) are received on the Kingdom switchboard, The light of Jesus flashes brightly. This tells God that the incoming prayer is inbound from one of His own. God listens closely to these prayers. He loves to hear our voices. God answers these prayers. Prayers that bring glory to the Father, the Son and to the Holy Spirit are all answered. They are answered in His time and in His way. Yes, sometimes, even a no to a prayer is an answer. He always answers the prayers of those who are His.

When is the last time someone prayed for you? Actually laid hands on you? It happened to me last week as I was about to be operated on. There I was, just got situated on the operating table, the team was gathered around and I said a short prayer of God's blessing on the members of the surgical team. Every member of medical professionals gather around me, placed their hands on my chest and prayed for me. I had tears in my eyes. Then, came the mask on my face and it was lights out. I went out knowing that I was in good hands. Prayer works. Prayer is powerful.

Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Ephesians;

Eph 6:18-20 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (19) and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Pray for me. I can always benefit from prayer, always!

Father, please continue to teach us effective prayer. Show us Your way, give us the wisdom to lean greatly on the Holy Spirit within us, to guide and offer prayers that bring glory to You and serve to honor Your will and Your way, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I

Joh 14:28 "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Luk 11:2 And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.

Joh 20:17 Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"

Joh 14:31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me...

Joh 14:10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Joh 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

Joh 17:2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

Joh 14:8-10 Philip *said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." (9) Jesus *said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (10) "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Joh 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Joh 15:9-10 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. (10) "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I

Joh 14:28 "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Luk 11:2 And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.

Joh 20:17 Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"

Joh 14:31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me...

Joh 14:10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Joh 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

Joh 17:2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

Joh 14:8-10 Philip *said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." (9) Jesus *said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (10) "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Joh 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Joh 15:9-10 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. (10) "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

Act 11:26 ....And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Act 26:28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

1Pe 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; { The name [Christian] did not originate with the Christians themselves. Nor would the Jews have applied it to the followers of Jesus, whose claim to be the Christ they opposed so passionately.

They spoke of the Christians as a sect; Act 24:5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Perhaps also as “Galileans,” a term which the emperor Julian attempted later vainly to revive. The word must have been coined by the heathen population of Antioch, as the church emerged from the synagogue, and a Christianity predominantly Gentile took its place among the religions of the world.}

The early Christian movement was predominantly of humble folks, the majority unable to read or having any benefit from formal education. The simplicity of the Gospel enriched the poor while confounding the elite with it's complexity. Jesus had no problems relating to paupers and potentates simultaneously. Early believers were known as disciples, or followers and hearers of the Lord. Some were called the Sect of the Way. (We recall how Saul hunted and persecuted those of The Way)

I am a Christian. Through the wondrous gift of Almighty God, His Son, Jesus, took my place before the executioner and shed His blood and gave His life so that I might live and be free. Free of Satan's slavery, released from Adam's sentence of death, and delivered without blemish in the eyes of my Lord. From the moment that I accepted His offer and gift, my life was irrevocably changed and has not been the same since. It is this change that confirms that I am a Christian. That I belong to Christ.

Mar 1:15 ...."The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Won't you say YES to Jesus? Won't you accept His gift? Right now, where ever you are, ask Him to come into you. To fill you with His love, His peace, His Promise. Believe that Jesus is Lord. Believe that He died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead by the mighty hand of Almighty God. Believe this, ask, and be set free. Call out to us fellow Christians, ask us to help you learn and grow in the Word. Learn from your brothers and sisters and be introduced to His scripture, the Holy Bible, and witness the change in you that will herald your conversion, and change your life FOREVER.

Become a Christian, give yourself to Him who created you.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

[Graphic Credit: Charles M. Schulz-Peanuts]

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

Act 11:26 ....And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Act 26:28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

1Pe 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; { The name [Christian] did not originate with the Christians themselves. Nor would the Jews have applied it to the followers of Jesus, whose claim to be the Christ they opposed so passionately.

They spoke of the Christians as a sect; Act 24:5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Perhaps also as “Galileans,” a term which the emperor Julian attempted later vainly to revive. The word must have been coined by the heathen population of Antioch, as the church emerged from the synagogue, and a Christianity predominantly Gentile took its place among the religions of the world.}

The early Christian movement was predominantly of humble folks, the majority unable to read or having any benefit from formal education. The simplicity of the Gospel enriched the poor while confounding the elite with it's complexity. Jesus had no problems relating to paupers and potentates simultaneously. Early believers were known as disciples, or followers and hearers of the Lord. Some were called the Sect of the Way. (We recall how Saul hunted and persecuted those of The Way)

I am a Christian. Through the wondrous gift of Almighty God, His Son, Jesus, took my place before the executioner and shed His blood and gave His life so that I might live and be free. Free of Satan's slavery, released from Adam's sentence of death, and delivered without blemish in the eyes of my Lord. From the moment that I accepted His offer and gift, my life was irrevocably changed and has not been the same since. It is this change that confirms that I am a Christian. That I belong to Christ.

Mar 1:15 ...."The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Won't you say YES to Jesus? Won't you accept His gift? Right now, where ever you are, ask Him to come into you. To fill you with His love, His peace, His Promise. Believe that Jesus is Lord. Believe that He died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead by the mighty hand of Almighty God. Believe this, ask, and be set free. Call out to us fellow Christians, ask us to help you learn and grow in the Word. Learn from your brothers and sisters and be introduced to His scripture, the Holy Bible, and witness the change in you that will herald your conversion, and change your life FOREVER.

Become a Christian, give yourself to Him who created you.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

[Graphic Credit: Charles M. Schulz-Peanuts]

THY WILL BE DONE.
MATT. 26:42

[Jer 10:23] I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

Prophet Jeremiah certainly was no fan of idol worship. It is through idolatry of self; {READ EGO} that we fail when we rely on ourselves and not our Lord, for all matters. Man's efforts, without God always end in destruction. Always.

It is especially helpful to embrace the reality that there is a higher power than us. One who has the GLOBAL view. One who has all authority to whatever end He so desires. That higher power is Almighty God. It is His will that must be done!

[Mat 26:39] And He [Jesus] went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Jesus, feeling the horrible weight in full knowledge of the terrible suffering that was now just hours away, expressed His anguish to His Father, but in the same breath, gave Himself completely to the will of the Creator. A most Holy example for us to trust...in Him.

King David, in penning Psalm 131 relinquished himself to the Higher Power. The King not concerning himself with "great matters", trusting completely in the Holy Spirit;

[Psa 131:2] Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

[Rom 8:26] In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...

In matters that impact the present and the future, humans have no clue. Yet, we seem to desire the throne of ruler-ship and decision maker with no ability whatsoever, even to rule over our own selves. Without God....we do not exist.

John and James, the sons of Zebedee had no idea of what Jesus would soon face when asking to be seated beside our Lord on the right and left of His throne.

[Mat 20:22] But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They *said to Him, "We are able."

The young disciples had absolutely no understanding of the error of their request.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Graphic Credit: https://straightthroughmyeyes.wordpress.com/

THY WILL BE DONE.
MATT. 26:42

[Jer 10:23] I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

Prophet Jeremiah certainly was no fan of idol worship. It is through idolatry of self; {READ EGO} that we fail when we rely on ourselves and not our Lord, for all matters. Man's efforts, without God always end in destruction. Always.

It is especially helpful to embrace the reality that there is a higher power than us. One who has the GLOBAL view. One who has all authority to whatever end He so desires. That higher power is Almighty God. It is His will that must be done!

[Mat 26:39] And He [Jesus] went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Jesus, feeling the horrible weight in full knowledge of the terrible suffering that was now just hours away, expressed His anguish to His Father, but in the same breath, gave Himself completely to the will of the Creator. A most Holy example for us to trust...in Him.

King David, in penning Psalm 131 relinquished himself to the Higher Power. The King not concerning himself with "great matters", trusting completely in the Holy Spirit;

[Psa 131:2] Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

[Rom 8:26] In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...

In matters that impact the present and the future, humans have no clue. Yet, we seem to desire the throne of ruler-ship and decision maker with no ability whatsoever, even to rule over our own selves. Without God....we do not exist.

John and James, the sons of Zebedee had no idea of what Jesus would soon face when asking to be seated beside our Lord on the right and left of His throne.

[Mat 20:22] But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They *said to Him, "We are able."

The young disciples had absolutely no understanding of the error of their request.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Graphic Credit: https://straightthroughmyeyes.wordpress.com/