Ascenders

 

This week, Michael writes that despite the chaos and the confusion in the world around us, Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the throne of God to intercede on behalf of Believers who pray in His name according to the will of God. Although death and destruction is all around us, greater is He [Jesus] that is in you than he [the devil] that is in this world. When we cast our care upon Him, He cares for us. As people of faith, God has called us to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free, not to be entangled in the yoke of the bondage of this world and the Old Testament Law that convicted all mankind of sin and death. The liberty that we have in Christ is in the Spirit of Christ in us, the hope of glory to love God above all, and to serve one another from a heart of love.

As the old hymn of Martin Luther says, “did we in our own strength confide, our battle would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Doth ask whom that may be? Christ Jesus it is he... and he must win the battle. To scale the highest mountain peaks, mountain climbers need to be prepared. They have to have the right equipment and safety lines. They need to bring their own oxygen and weather conditions need to be favorable. Climbers are connected to a safety line by devices called “ascenders” that allow them to ascend but not retreat. If they slip and lose their footing the ascender will keep them from falling. They ascend together with a team of climbers. The analogy of mountain climbing is an example of the Christian walk ... of each individual pilgrim’s progress upon the pilgrimage of this earthly life. 

 

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”. God is faithful to His word. The origin of the Aramaic word “Amen” means, “God said it ... so shall it be done.” Regardless of circumstances, situations, and the unbelief of mankind, God’s Word shall come to pass. Why? Because God honors the integrity of His Word. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Christ is the Word of God made manifest ... He said, “I always do my Father’s will.” The Word of God is the Will of God. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be a disciplined follower of the Word of God. The next verse in Hebrews 10 says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”. The team of mountain climbers cannot ascend to the peak unless they climb together and encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Jesus Christ is our lifeline. What happens if we get disconnected from the line? Without the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the devil will have his way with us. His purpose is to steal, to kill and to destroy. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he hath not another to help him up.” That is why Jude 1:21 says, maintain yourselves in the love of God. One wife complained to her pastor, “My husband just pushes all of my buttons.” His response: “Just get rid of your buttons.” The old saying goes: there is nothing wrong with my spouse that God can’t fix in me. The love of God thinks no evil. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs done. It gives others grace and mercy from the heart of the love of God. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 13:8, “owe no man anything but to love one another, for he that loveth another fulfills the law.” 

 

Jude 1:23 says, Save others by snatching them out of the fire. The late Pastor Chuck Smith said, God will deliver us through the fire, in the fire, or by the fire. The fire of tribulation and trials reveal God’s character in us. For tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience (proven character), and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Jesus Christ is our lifeline who keeps us from falling. Therefore, give diligence with urgency to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you shall never fall. What are these things? According to 1 Peter 2, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness the love of God.

It’s easy to become discouraged about current world events and the sins of the world (and our own hearts) that so easily beset us. However, to run with patience and press toward the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus, we ascend to new heights as we pursue our Lord along with others who chase after Christ. Jude 1:24 says, Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless in the presence of his glory with exceeding joy... to the only wise God be glory and majesty and honor and glory both now and forever that we may as ascenders live to the praise of the glory of His grace!  Amen and Amen

Your brother in Christ, Michael

The Greatest

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now, we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

 

Last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued our church’s sermon series through the book of 1 Corinthians by completing the second half of the “Love Chapter”. Pastor had jumped ahead due to the annual Saint Valentine’s Day celebration observed on February 14^th, commemorating this Catholic priest/martyr’s death for the faith. St. Valentine had also worked as a Italian doctor. He lived in Italy during the third century AD and served as a priest in Rome. St. Valentine is the Catholic church’s Patron Saint of love, marriages, engagements, young people, greetings, travelers, bee keepers, people with epilepsy, and numerous churches. He was killed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith and love of God.   

 

The word “love” used in 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greek word agápē; and translated as “charity” in the King James Bible. The Strong’s Bible dictionary define “agape” as affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love. Agápē is the highest expression of love - a pure, selfless, unconditional thing. “Agape love” is love at the highest level. It's so much more than we could ever dream or imagine. It is a sacrificial love that binds. It is the love of God that we see through the cross of Jesus Christ. It is the love that saves and restores humanity in the face of sin and death. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary, in its definition of the word “love” states: if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind – Matthew 22:37.

 

Pastor Kyle states that agape love is greater than spiritual giftedness or godly abilities for, on this side of eternity and glory, we only see dimly and know in part. But when that which is perfect has come, when the Lord Jesus takes His church and we shall stand face-to-face with the Lord, all shall be revealed and known in full. Today, whether in godly affection (storge love), godly friendship (philia love), godly Romantic love (eros love), or godly Charity (agape love), love is the greatest motivator for spiritual growth and maturity as a Christian. The passage ends with “and now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” To abide is the Greek word “Menō”, meaning to exist, to continue, to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. To tarry or stay. We exist, dwell, stay and stand on faith, hope and love. When this life is over and we go to be with the Lord in Heaven, we will no longer be in need of faith and hope. But, love is a natural attribute of God and never ceases or fails, therefore “the greatest of these is love.” 

 

Lord, make your love the defining trait of my life. Amen

In Christ, Brian

Ready for Revival – Part 4

  

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

Pastor Herk continues that this is what we can do: humble ourselves, pray with every ounce of our soul we have, seek God's face in everything that we do, as we turn from our sinful thoughts word and actions in sincere humiliation, fasting and prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The Father of our Country, President George Washington had daily prayer in his library both morning and evening, kneeling with an open Bible before Him. Set aside dedicated devotional and authentic prayer time for you and God daily and wholeheartedly seek His face in loving personal presence. God wants us to approach His throne and spend time together communing.  

 

1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

 

To spend time face-to-face with our heavenly Father is to enjoy a clear and direct sight of Him, and not a dim refection as in an ancient mirror. We seek His hand daily for our lives, but we should also seek God’s face for our soul and spirit. We want to know God for who He is every second of our lives, and not just call on Him when something is wrong or when we need something. An acronym for the elements of prayer is ACTS, meaning Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. How many times do you pray in adoration to God, just to exalt Him with praise and thanksgiving as the only motive? 

 

1 John 3:6-7 “No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Jesus—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him. Little children (believers, disciples of Christ), do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who practices righteousness [the one who strives to live a consistently God honoring life—in private as well as in public—and to conform to God’s precepts] is righteous, just as He is righteous.”

 

Turn from your wicked ways (our evil ways in principle or practice; deviating from the divine law; addicted to vice; sinful and immoral). When a person turns from their sins, they choose to live in obedience to God. Evil ways are either natural or moral. Natural evil is anything which produces pain, distress, loss or calamity, or which in any way disturbs the peace, impairs the happiness, or destroys the perfection of natural beings. Moral evil is any deviation of a moral agent from the rules of conduct prescribed to them by God, or it is any violation of the plain principles of justice and rectitude by God.

 

Because of the Fall of Man and our many sins since, Romans 3:22-24 tells us, the righteousness of God is “through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Yet, people tend to not think of themselves as wicked because they don’t physically harm or kill others, but 1 John 3:15 says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” God sees our heart and knows our thoughts. If we would actually see ourselves in God’s holy light, our true thoughts, motives, negative emotions, and spite would shock and shake us to the soul. God is waiting for us to repent. 

 

Since the Fall of Man, we live in a dark and sinful, totally polluted society. Sin is normalized and accepted today, desensitizing our culture. How many times is the Lord’s name used in vain daily? So, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 asks, “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 

 

If God’s people turn from our wicked ways, then the Lord will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. It’s time for revival. Are you ready?

 

In Christ, Brian

Ready for Revival - Part 3

  

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

Pastor Herk continued that revival can be expected when the wickedness of the wicked grieves, humbles and distresses Christians to turn from wicked ways. Wicked is defined as: “Evil in principle or practice; deviating from the divine law; addicted to vice; sinful; immoral. This is a word of comprehensive signification, extending to everything that is contrary to the moral law, and both to persons and actions. We say, a wicked man, wicked deed, wicked ways, wicked lives, a wicked heart, wicked designs, wicked works.” 

 

Another requirement for spiritual revival to come is having a spirit of prayer for revival, pleading with God to bring revival. The shepherds of the church’s flock in the body of Christ need to preach and proclaim the need for revival to the faithful congregants. God knows when revival is needed and revival comes when needed, and may be in affect right now, maybe overdue to come. God is bringing a spirit of revival upon the people of this nation and the world in a spiritual awakening. 

 

The Holy Spirit responds to need, not judgment. God begins His revival message of 1 Chronicles 7:14 with “if My people”, so God is not waiting on the lost people of the nation to do something. God is waiting on the church to do something. God’s people means Christ’s church. “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves.” Humble is defined as: “Lowly; modest; meek; submissive; opposed to proud, haughty, arrogant, vain or assuming. In an evangelical sense, having a low opinion of one's self, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God.” Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is defined as: “Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Compared to infinite God Almighty, finite fallen man, in every way, is like an ant standing at the foot of Mount Everest. So, we have to realize that pride has no place in us. Humble yourself in spirit. 

 

1 Peter 5:5-6 “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 

 

How do we humble ourselves? There are many ways. In Romans 12:3 the Apostle Paul says, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” In Mark 9:35, the Lord Jesus says, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” And in Luke 14:8, 10-11, “When you are invited by anyone, do not sit down in the best place, but when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Fasting is another biblical way to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. Fasting (abstaining from food for a period of time) enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance and a transformed life. Putting God’s will ahead of yours and reverencing God by our posture in His presence during prayer, acknowledging His Lordship and Master authority is humbling yourself before the Lord. Find humility and get ready for revival.

Let's conclude Pastor Herk's message in the next post. In Christ, Brian

Ready for Revival – Part 2

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

Pastor Herk continues that to turn from our wicked ways is to repent and turn to God’s ways; His statutes, decrees, teachings, and commandments. The definition of the word “repent” is: to sorrow or be pained for sin, as a violation of God's holy law, a dishonor to his character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence. Repentance is real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life. That guilt, disgust and soulful sorrow for sin causes a 180 degree “about face” turn from walking in inequity away from God to walking in the Spirit towards God in His perfect Word, Will and Way. A law is defined as a rule, particularly an established or permanent rule, prescribed by nature and nature’s God or the supreme power of a state to its subjects, for regulating their actions, particularly their social actions. Laws are imperative or mandatory, commanding what shall be done; prohibitory, restraining from what is to be forbore; or permissive, declaring what may be done without incurring a penalty. A statement, principle or maxim which has no exceptions. The laws which enjoin the duties of piety and morality, are prescribed by God and found in the Scriptures. It is necessary to have these definitions defined rightly for proper understanding.   

 

We are where we are because of decisions that God has made overall, decisions that others have made in this world and decisions that we have made in this life. We must remember that what we so, we shall reap. 

 

So, what are some of the laws for spiritual revival? Some people believe that God-given Revival cannot result from human means or actions; that God sends spiritual revival to the nations periodically to keep His over-arching plan moving forward. Though it revival is of God through the moving of the Holy Spirit in the people, and God is always ready to poised to have a revival in His world; He is just waiting on the people to fulfill the right conditions. It doesn’t come through training programs, evangelistic outreaches or crusades, but, as President John Adams and many other US Presidents stated that: “citizens call to mind our numerous offenses against the Most High God confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His requisitions. That “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God hearing our sincere humiliation, fasting and prayer, forgiving our sins, transforming our hearts and healing our land, aligning our ways with His ways is true revival, physically, mentally and spiritually. Do you want the people of this nation to come to repentance of their sin and return to godly ways? Are you ready for revival?

Let's continue Pastor Herk's message in the next post. 

In Christ, Brian

Ready for Revival - Part 1

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

This last Sunday, Pastor Herk of the Little Church in the Pines at Bass Lake in California preached that America was ready for a spiritual awakening and national Revival back to the ways of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Christian church has been for 2000 years  an important place for worship of God in spirit and in truth, where our focus is on our almighty heavenly Father. The Lord God has established in His Holy Word, laws and rules, and they assure us that God is always ready to send revival into the nations, if His people do the right things to set the stage for Him to fulfill a new spiritual awakening and national Revival, experiencing the presence of the Lord. Give an Amen if you feel that this nation needs a true spiritual awakening today.  

 

In America, there have been many proclamations for Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer made by our Presidents in time of national needs and calamity recorded throughout our nation’s history for national revival. For example, President John Adams on March 23, 1798 wrote: “I hereby recommend a solemn day that citizens call to mind our numerous offenses against the Most High God confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His requisitions.” Spiritual Revival is not just the history of the Bible, but of the history of the United States bringing the people back together with God. 

 

Matthew 13:20-22 “But he who received the seed [the Word of God] on stony places [condition of the heart], this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed [the Word of God] among the thorns [condition of the heart], is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

 

How many Believers have been tuned into the Holy Spirit but over time become cold and indifferent, no longer hearing or remembering the Spirit’s still, small voice speaking to them. God periodically brings a spiritual awakening and national revival, but His people have to desire it and do the requirements of humiliation, fasting and prayer for the Lord to bring the awakening of the soul and spirit ablaze, on fire in the actual presence of God. But, after a generation, the flame dwindles and cools off. We are prime and due for a new spiritual awakening and revival in this country right now. In Revelation 2:4 Jesus tells the church, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” So, I pray that God helps us to get back to our first love; to get the real Jesus back in our lives and begin to hear that still small voice of the Lord once again when the Lord speaks to us and the Holy Spirit opens our soul and spirit to hear the voice of God. 

 

This land needs healing and our numerous sins offending God need to be forgiven. The Holy Bible ensures us that God is always ready to send revival but He’s waiting for us to grieve our sin, repent and seek His face with a sincere and contrite heart which fulfills the requirement for revival in our land to come and ,also, in our hearts today. 

Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on "spiritual awakening and revival" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

The True Pursuit of Happiness

 

Psalm 144:15 “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”

 

In a recent small group discussion at our church, I brought up the statement in the United States Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I mentioned that the true pursuit of happiness comes from the pursuit of holiness (the state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity). One of our group members stated that she disagreed with that statement because Happiness is a subjective emotion in people and unholy people feel happiness too. So, she believed that happiness is not holy and felt that joy was truly holy. It’s all about the definition. 

 

The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “happiness” as: The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain; felicity; but happiness usually expresses less than felicity, and felicity less than bliss. happiness is comparative. To a person distressed with pain, relief from that pain affords happiness; in other cases, we give the name happiness to positive pleasure or an excitement of agreeable sensations. happiness therefore admits of indefinite degrees of increase in enjoyment, or gratification of desires. Perfect happiness or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life. What makes me happy and what makes another person happy may differ, but what does God say about happiness? 

 

Psalm 146:5-7 “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.”

 

In Matthew 5:3-11, the Lord Jesus Christ said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The word “blessed” in this passage is the Greek word “makários”, which is defined as: supremely blest; blessed, happy. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “blessed” as: Made happy or prosperous; extolled; pronounced happy. Happy; prosperous in worldly affairs; enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God; enjoying heavenly felicity  (Happiness, or rather great happiness; blessedness; blissfulness; appropriately, the joys of heaven).

 

True happiness is spiritual happiness that blesses from the person that seeks God and follows Jesus in the pursuit of holiness. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “holiness” applied to human beings as: purity of heart or dispositions; sanctified affections; piety; moral goodness, but not perfect. Only God is perfect. Proverbs 16:20 says, “He who heeds the Word [of God] wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” May holiness, therefore, be our true pursuit of happiness.

 

In Christ, Brian

Power and Authority

This week, Michael writes that the world looks for worldly credentials. Where did you go to college? What degrees do you have? Where do you work and what do you do for a living? However, when the people found out that Jesus was from Nazareth, the people asked themselves, can anything good come out of Nazareth? God calls the weak things of the world to confound the wise. The attitudes of the beatitudes are upside down from the attitudes of the world. The world says that you should be self-fulfilled and self-actualized. However, the beatitudes begin, blessed are they who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. When we recognize that in our own power we are powerless to approach our Lord, then the Lord will fill us with His Spirit. Blessed are we who mourn and sorrow over sins, of our having separated our hearts from God’s heart. Then, when we approach His throne of grace with meekness, humility, and a broken an a contrite spirit, our Heavenly Father will reconcile our hearts with His heart through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Jesus said, having been shown God’s mercy, blessed are the merciful, for this is the nature of Jesus Christ. Therefore, recompense to no man evil for evil, but overcome evil with good. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. The pure in heart have been purified by God’s refining fire. Proverbs 17:3 says, the crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but God refines and purifies the heart. As the late Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel church once said, God will deliver us by refining us in the fire, by the fire, and through the fire.  

Then when we’re persecuted for our righteousness in Christ, we can rejoice and be exceeding glad, knowing that great is our reward in Heaven. The reward is to be a witness of God’s glory and His righteousness. Therefore, Jesus said, don’t be surprised or downcast when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for even though it’s unpleasant in this world, great is your reward in Heaven. For this light affliction which is but for a fleeting moment is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall follow at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “I have not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. Whoever says to others, ‘you have to obey the commandments and then your works will save you,’ if the person who says this breaks only one of the Old Testament commandments, then their own works will eventually condemn them.” If you are to approach God, you must come on His terms, according to His grace, mercy, and forgiveness, not according to our carnal works of so-called “righteousness.” Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law in our stead ... for He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

To serve others with a heart filled with the love of God, ask them, “Is there anything I’m not doing that I can do that would bless you?” If you’re honest then listen with a loving heart willing and ready to serve them and love them as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. Jesus spoke not as the Scribes and Pharisees, but as one who had power and authority. He didn’t have the right worldly credentials. He hadn’t been to the right universities. He didn’t come from the right prestigious family and the right home town. However, when he spoke, the people were astonished because he demonstrated God’s power, not as the Scribes who spoke with flattering words of eloquence, but with the power of God’s authority.

Jesus established a new authority and power when He gave the “sermon on the mount”. Six times He quoted the Law of the Pharisees ... “You have heard it said ...”. Then He contrasted their Law with a new Law. You have heard it said that you shall not commit murder, but I say, if you have held anger against your brother, then you have already committed murder in your heart. You have heard that you shall not commit adultery, but if you look at a woman with lust in your heart, then you have already committed adultery.  

It is written in the Mosaic Law that if you divorced your spouse except for adultery and gave her a certificate of divorce, then you have lied and broken the vow you made to your spouse in the presence of God and men. Marriage is an institution instituted by God. Without loving God above all, we cannot love our spouses as Christ loved the church, for love covers a multitude of sins. To reconcile so-called irreconcilable differences with our spouses, we must first reconcile our hearts with God, for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Then when we meet our spouses at the foot of the cross, in subjugating our hearts to Christ’s heart behind our hearts, we can be joined together in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Jesus said, you have heard an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say to you, if a man strikes you on one cheek, then turn the other cheek. In other words, do not return evil for evil. Instead, allow God to work in and through you to will and to do of His good pleasure. This is the result of “working out our own salvation,” our own healing wholeness according to God’s word and will, with respect, awe, and reverence to God. All of mankind struggle between the demands of passion and the control of reason. The passion is attracted to the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life and the lust of the eyes. However true reason is according to God’s righteous standard. The standard is Jesus Christ himself ... he was the Word of God and the Truth of God made manifest.  

It’s easy to judge and question our own hearts ... to condemn ourselves for having fallen short of the glory of the Lord. Jesus said, there is none righteous, (in his own power) no not one. However, according to 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins (of having separated our hearts from God’s heart) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” He is our power and our righteousness through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 says through the law of the spirit of life in Christ, I have died to the Old Testament law of sin and death. According to Galatians 2:20, For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Even though in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, we can live by the power of the love of God in the righteousness of the Spirit of Christ in us the hope of glory that empowered by God’s spiritual power and authority we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

True Religion - Part 4

 1 Chronicles 16:25-27 “For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.”

 

Continuing, Pastor Herk looks at the fourth way how general religion can pose a danger. (4) Natural man in their unsaved state has no relationship with the One true God. One of the definitions for the word “god” is: A false god; a heathen deity; an idol. We tend to think of idols at an image, form or representation consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Or, a person loved and honored to adoration (like in entertainment or hero). But, is also anything on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment. Ultimately, an idol is anything which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures. Literally, anything that comes between your face and God’s face. So, we can have many idols/gods in our life, but having a relationship with any of them is a completely foreign concept. We can worship them, giving them obsequious or submissive honor, respect and adoration), but how can anyone have a relationship with an idol or false god? But now, through Jesus Christ everyone on earth has been given the privilege of an intimate relationship with the infinitely, awesome Creator God in true religion.

 

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly, safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [Almighty] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, or trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].

Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

General religion can fall short and in two specific aspects that keep us from the kind of personal relationship that God desires for us. (1) Pride – the Scriptures tell us in Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” All are created equal by God, all have fallen short of the glory of God by sin, and all are in need of a Savior. We have been blessed, to be a blessing to others. Do not lose sight that you only look down on someone else in order to compassionately give them a hand to pull them up and restore them to an upright position. President Andrew Jackson wrote in 1835: “You know charity is the real basis of all true religion – judge a tree by its fruit. All who profess Christianity believe in a Savior, and that by and through Him we are saved.” There, except by the grace of God who save me, go I. Christ’s disciples, allow God to use you in the lives of others for their good. 

 

(2) Deception – the Scriptures tell us in Isaiah 29:13 the Lord God said, “this nation approaches Me only with their words and honors Me only with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me is a tradition that is learned by rote (routine repetition and vain memorization) without any regard for its meaning.” Salvation is free, but it is not cheap and it is conditional. It cost God his only begotten Son. It cost Jesus His life on the cross; He purchased our salvation “with His own blood”. Yet, like any gift, it must be accepted, and like any remedy, it must be taken, but with a repentant heart, believing in Jesus as your personal Savior, and receiving Christ as the Lord of your life unto born-again transformation of the soul and regeneration of the spirit. Willfully obey God and follow Christ with a grateful heart of genuine love and pure faith, for that is true religion.

 

Ephesians 5:1-11 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them. 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. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

 

In Christ, Brian

True Religion - Part 3

 

James 1:27 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, … but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Continuing, Pastor Herk looks at how general religion can pose a danger to everyone. We share in original sin, so we are dead, dominated, doomed and destined for Hell ... before God enters into our lives. Regardless of what religious system people subscribe to, nothing short of their born-again relationship with God by faith through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ could overcome any of the following difficulties and reconcile. (1) With no conception of sin, the lost have no expectation of a Savior. How many do not have the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) to show them what sin is and that there is a Savior. There is no religion on the face of the earth that can address the fact that we are separated from God as a result of our sins, and therefore we need a Savior. We are all separated from Christ by sin until God completes His saving work in our lives. Only a personal relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ can deal with that need. In John 3:3 Jesus tells us, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Salvation is not deserved, earned, or purchased; it is the gift of God. 

 

Romans 11:7 “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”

 

(2) We, as gentiles, have no part in God’s “chosen people” Jewish status. Jesus said in John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” So, we are called and elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. John 1:11-14 explains “[Jesus] came to His own [Israel], and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Election to be grafted into the family of God is not merited, deserved, earned, or purchased either; it comes by receiving the gift of God through faith alone. 

 

(3)  Unbelievers have no share in God’s blessings, being strangers to the covenants of the promise of God through Jesus. From “dead in sin” top “alive in Christ”, we are God’s masterpiece by choice, in grace, through faith. (4) The unsaved have no hope. No Christ = No Salvation. Know Christ = Know Salvation.  Likewise, No Jesus = No Hope. Know Jesus = Know true Hope. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 explains, “For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces].” General religions are unable to give us any lasting hope. No amount of rituals, works or piety can produce hope in our lives. The only way is with a “true religion” relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   

Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on "Religion" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

True Religion - Part 2

 

Acts 17:22-23 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’” 

 

Continuing Pastor Herk's message: Hinduism has millions of gods and goddesses. The ancient Egyptians had over 1400 gods and goddesses. The Greeks in Athens had 12 main gods and over 400 minor gods. We are all religious in some way, shape or form; even Atheism is a religion by definition (a belief held to with ardor within a system of faith). We are all members of fallen humanity in need of a Savior and true religion. The general definition of “religion” is any system of faith and worship - a cause, a principle or system of beliefs. Political parties, special interest group’s social issues, radical environmentalists, and counter-culturalists are great examples of this. But, unfortunately, “Self-worship” – egocentrism falls into this category of religion. Causes and interests, in and of themselves, are not inherently bad, yet can become bad when they become one’s prime focus, belief, thoughts and faith; therefore, their religion. True Religion is all about the One true God, Creator Father in Heaven and our relationship with Him. 

 

Colossians 2:20-23 “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

 

I’ve been reading an excellent book titled: Miracles in American History. In it, I read that in 1854, US House Rep. James Meacham wrote in a report recorded in Congress: “Down to the Revolution, every colony did sustain religion in some form. It was deemed peculiarly proper that the religion of Liberty should be upheld by a free people.” The French Revolution replaced the Christian religion with Civic religion of State worship and 40,000 people were beheaded. President George Washington wrote: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, [true] religion and morality are indispensable supports.” In 1813, President James Madison declared a Day of National Prayer, in which he stated: “[True] Religion is that gift of Heaven for the good of man.” Or course, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.This is Freedom of true Religion; not Freedom from religion. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

It is divinely peculiar that the issues of general religion issues (of any system of faith and worship - a cause, a principle or system of beliefs) and associated actions in history are still applicable and happening today. True religion is truth.   

Let continue Pastor Herk's message on "Religion" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

True Religion - Part 1

 

Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands — remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 

This last Sunday, Pastor Herk continued in his sermon series on “Spirit and Truth Worship” with this week’s topic being “Religion”. A wrong religion can be very dangerous and the danger of following any belief system of faith without a relationship with the Lord in fruitless, counter-productive and grave; so caught up in minor or mistaken aspects of their religion that they lose sight of what really matters and drew them away from God. The main audience for the Apostle Paul was born-again gentiles. He explains in Romans 3:20-24 “by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus breaks down walls that tend to separate us from those who differ from us in the light of true religion. But, what is true religion.

 

James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, … but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” 

 

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “religion” as: (1. religion in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of His will to man, in man's obligation to obey His commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a Divine Lawgiver, and without reference to His will or commands, is not religion. (2. religion as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to Divine command, or from love to God and His Law. (3. religion as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to His will. Hence, we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the Law. Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion - President George Washington (4. Any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of Christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. Thus, we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the American Indians, etc. as well as of the Christian religion We speak of false religion as well as of true religion.

 

Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on "Religion" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian   

You Have Heard It Said ... But I Say - Part 2

Michael continues: In repentance, confession of sin and turning from the iniquity of this world and the sinful desire of the flesh, God will forgive our sins, not because of who we are but because of the sacrifice Jesus paid for sin on our behalf ... for He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

There is a contrast between the law of the Pharisees and the new law of the Spirit of life in Christ. In Matthew 23 Jesus said to the religious leaders, you travel far and wide to proselytize and say that everyone should be just like you. However, you are a brood of vipers ... you’re like a grave yard, green and flowery on the outside, but inside you’re nothing but dead men’s bones. Jesus said to the people, your righteousness needs to exceed that of the Pharisees if you’re to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.  

Jesus established a new standard for righteousness based on God’s truth. His way is the only way that is safe and secure ... for even those who are born-again have two natures ... the nature of the fallen flesh and the nature of the Spirit. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other that you cannot do the things that you would. Where is the deliverance from this dead body we inherited from Adam? The answer is in Galatians 2:20, for I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live I live by faith in the one who loved me and gave himself for me.

Life is a series of choices ... for the carnal mind is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. God has given us the freedom of choice .... in that sense, the Lord is pro-choice and He is always pro-life, which He created and reigns over ... therefore, choose life. Be careful how you judge others. Yet, Jesus says, go not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Be faithful, wise and balanced children of God. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. God doesn’t want your self-driven good behavior, your good deeds or your righteous actions ... instead he wants your heart aligned with His heart because then good behavior, your good works or your righteous actions become your nature naturally. This is the theme of Romans 8.  

In the default mode of the fallen, sinful flesh, there is none righteous, no not one. Only God is righteous. Our heavenly Father sent His Son so that His righteous, innocent blood could be shed as an atoning sacrifice for sin... as payment in exchange for our guilty blood. It’s only by God’s mercy and grace that we have been saved. Not because of our attempts to earn our way to Heaven and not because of our human nature but because love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness is the nature of God himself. God himself is the prime mover ... He moved first, for in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. He loved us, though we were unlovable. He forgave us, while we deserved righteous judgement. He was merciful, though we deserved our “just deserts” of God’s wrath against sin. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He loved us enough to call us unto Himself. Because our Maker, Father God, first loved me, I can love Him in return. The Lord has called us for such a time as this, to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. Our mission and our commission is to be a witness unto others of the love of God through Christ, that together we may walk in the newness of life to live to the praise of the glory if His grace, mercy, and love! You may have heard it said ... but what does God say? Enter by the narrow gate.

Your brother in Christ, Michael

You Have Heard It Said ... But I Say - Part 1

 

This week, Michael writes that the purpose and the object of the beatitudes is salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Jesus said, there is only one way into the kingdom of heaven ... there is a narrow gate and a narrow way that leads to salvation. In order to enter the narrow gate, it’s not in our own finite power, but only through His infinite power. We must first forsake our pride, our self-serving selfish nature and our self-centered self-worship. When God reveals to us that in my own flesh dwelleth no good thing, that we are poor in spirit, we will mourn over the dreadful sin that has separated our hearts from God’s heart. Then the Lord will fill us with the hunger and thirst for His righteousness. When the Lord gives us the acquired taste for His holy Word, His love, His righteousness, and His fellowship, then the Lord will fill us with His Holy Spirit. Then we can come before His holy presence with singing and enter into the narrow gate to Heaven with thanksgiving, into His courts and before the throne of God with praise.  

He will give us His nature ... for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures forever. When God reveals to us His mercy and grace, we in turn will reflect His mercy. Blessed are the merciful for they shall see God. They shall see who He is from his spiritual perspective. From a heart of mercy, love, and grace, God will show us the meaning of peace. For Jesus said, my peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth unto you give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Without the prince of peace there is no true peace. Real godly peace is the result of reconciling our hearts with God’s heart, for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Because the world cannot understand true peace, Jesus said they will hate you because they hated me. John 3:20 says, he that does evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God. When we stand with our Lord, Jesus said, blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.

The beatitudes are upside down from the attitudes of this world. The worldly definition of success is opposite from Jesus’ definition of success. The worldly secular rulers said, Jesus went to the wrong school, he did not attend the right universities, He didn’t come from the right family and grow up in the right home town. They said, how can anything good come out of Nazareth? He had no place to lay his head... he was a man who was despised, scorned, ridiculed, discredited and persecuted by the powers of this world.

Amid the chaos, pain, suffering, and persecution of this world, Jesus said, I have not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. So, he who repents of sin and believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. When they nailed him to the cross, in excruciating pain he prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. In a world where the bullies were running amok, the people marveled because he taught them as one who had power and authority, not as the scribes and the Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees spoke with eloquent great swelling words of man’s vanity, but Jesus spoke with the power of God and in demonstration of Divine truth.

Let's continue Michael's message on Divine Truth in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Happy Valentine’s Day 2022 AD

1 John 4:8 “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

 

Today, many nations celebrate Valentine’s Day, but who are they truly celebrating and why?

Per the Encyclopedia Britannica, St. Valentine, (died in the 3rd century on February 14), name of one or two legendary Christian martyrs whose lives seem to be historically based. Although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine as a saint of the church. From the High Middle Ages, his Saints' Day has been associated with a tradition of courtly love (a conception of love that emphasized nobility and chivalry. These love relationships are not physical, but the love is not entirely platonic either, as it was based on sexual attraction between biological males and females). He is also a patron saint of Terni, epilepsy and beekeepers. Saint Valentine was a clergyman – either a priest or a bishop – in the Roman Empire who ministered to persecuted Christians. 

 

By some accounts, St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus about 270 AD. He was buried on the Via Flaminia, and Pope Julius I reportedly built a basilica over his grave. Other narratives identify him as the bishop of Terni, Italy, who was martyred, apparently also in Rome, and whose relics were later taken to Terni. It is possible these are different versions of the same original account and refer to only one person.

 

According to legend, St. Valentine signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. Another common legend states that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war.

Psalm 146:1 “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!”

 

Some people may not know who they are celebrating on this February 14, 2022 AD.or why?Interestingly, A.D. stands for the Latin phrase "Anno Domini" meaning "in the year of our Lord (Jesus Christ)." The BC/AD dating system is utilized to make the death of Jesus the dividing line of world history. The birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ are the turning points of world history. BC and AD separate the old from the new. Some people may not know who they are celebrating every day when they say or write the date. Happy Valentine’s Day and praise the Lord!

 

In Christ, Brian