The seeing and the blind

Jesus came being the light of the world. Without light we are unable to see. His light brought spiritual understanding, opening spiritual eyes and giving sight to blind eyes.

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Joh 9:14  And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 

Joh 9:15  Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 

Joh 9:16  Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. 

Because so many refused to see with spiritual eyes, in Matthew 11 Jesus began speaking only in parables. We have a lot of churches that are parable speaking churches because the people do not care to see in the spirit. They want to hear pleasant words and words that appeal to their desires for wealth and power. Some just want to belong to a fellowship, like a friendly club and not interested in a deeper walk. They go to church liking the fellowship; but they choose to forget about going to Bible study and prayer.

The last two times that I opened a Bible reading chat room, the only ones who came were the mockers of God's word. There is no fruit in mockers and if left alone the subject would be anything but fruitful. Some come to destroy faith. It is impossible to do the will of Jesus Christ without faith and the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant through his blood requires that we follow him by faith and  he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. The difference between the first covenant of outward law keeping is that Jesus has kept the laws and forgiven our sins. From this higher ground we follow him by the voice of his Spirit. From our innermost being we hear and do his will, flowing out to others the works of Christ. If we sin, he convicts us of sin in our hearts. Whatever is not of faith to us, is sin. If we are convicted of sin we must confess it in prayer and be forgiven. If we do not do this, we are most miserable. This is the Holy Spirit bringing conviction to the believers and judgment to the ungodly. He is the restrainer of sin. O Father do not withdraw your Spirit from our nation. We need you.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Eaglewings Ministries

The Spiritual Dimension

We must know that God created the heavens and the earth and all living things. We must realize that Adam and Eve sinned, cutting them off from everlasting life, and that their sin was passed down to all people.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Sin brought spiritual death, and physical death. This physical life is not all there is. There is another dimension to life, there is a spiritual world. The plan from before creation was to send the son of man who is also Jesus the Son of God, to bring spiritual life, eternal life in heaven with Christ Jesus.  

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

 Throughout history satan has tried to block the coming of this Savior. Satan is a fallen angel, a spirit. He wants to destroy mankind that was made in the image of God. He leads people through false religions and by subtle means. He lost the battle when Jesus went to the cross and was raised from death. Now  the way of salvation is through the Grace of God through faith in Jesus. However the spirit world is still active to destroy mankind.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The physical world may get more and more evil, but Jesus has overcome the world. We who believe in Jesus overcome by faith. Our spirit is with his Spirit, we are in heavenly places with our Lord.

Isa 54:14  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Isa 54:15  Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Isa 54:16  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 

Eaglewings Ministries

The Genesis Foundation

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Gen 3:23  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

This is a brief summary of the foundation of the Bible. God created man and woman in his image in a perfect environment. They walked with God without sin. There was only one thing the were forbidden to do, to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan tempted Eve, saying you will be as God, you will be your own god. Now you can do what you want to do. By disobeying both Adam and Eve had sinned, in disobeying God. Sin was introduced to all of their offspring. Now they must choose to obey God or to disobey and ignore God.

 

In our schools this foundational Bible teaching is not taught, instead the false doctrine of evolution is taught and man becomes godless. They become their own authority doing what they want to do. They are not taught right and wrong or sin being  disobedience to God. Many people do not understand what sin means, being godless they do not see the need for a savior. The great sin is to deny God as creator of all.

 

It is difficult to explain that Jesus is the Savior from sins, when they have no Biblical foundation. It is the work of the Churches to be sure that the young and old are taught the Genesis foundation so that they will understand sin and a need for repentance. This explains why there are few who repent and are sorry for their sins. Many just say words and do not continue in church. America is becoming godless because of godless education.

Eaglewings Ministries

Shades of Grey

Grey is the absence of color, although grey is often called a color. In black and white photography there are shades of grey. A grey scale shows shades of grey from black to white. Spiritually there is a right and a wrong, truth and lies, good or evil. These are opposites as is black the opposite of white. Most live in the murky grey of compromise. When I rededicated my life to the Lord I was in a church that taught that there is good and evil and that we are not to mix them up. Without Jesus we would be lost in the murky grey of sin.

Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

Randy the wounded goose stands before the grey of the pond. The pond is grey because the sky is grey. He watches the ripples caused by a gentle wind. The Greek word for spirit is pneumos, meaning wind.

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 

John 3:8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 

We have a blue Jay called the Scrub Jay. It has blue feathers and a grey breast. A bluish grey is called a cool grey. Grey with hints of tan are called warm greys. The Lord has made good use of colors. Most any color goes with grey.  Grey or gray is the same word. The KJV Bible uses the spelling "gray". Old people have gray hair.

Pro 20:29  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. 

 The Robin has a grey top and a red breast. He is a warm grey color. My hair used to be a reddish brown, but I noticed a few years back that the barber started putting gray hair on the floor. Was he getting it from a bag just to trick me? We will all get gray if we live long enough. I am still young in spirit. Jesus keeps us young.

Eaglewings Ministries

Bread and leaven

I have been baking bread. Yesterday I made braided bread. I used to make this when I lived alone in a small cabin rental when I first moved north. It has been over 35 years since I made this kind of bread. I remember coming home from hard work in the cabinet shop and stirring up the bread dough. About midnight it would come hot out of the oven. I put butter on it and would eat a whole loaf. Back then it took longer because the store-bought yeast was not fresh. Leaven is a good thing in making soft bread, but leaven in a person is not good. It just takes a little leaven to permeate the whole loaf. Likewise one wolf or false one coming into a fellowship can permeate it with sin and doubts of the scriptures and strife with divisions. If in a Bible study he will attempt to take over and will bring confusion. When a wolf comes my first thought is to separate him from the sheep. 

The word for leaven, zumē, is from zeō, to boil, to seethe. It permeates the whole loaf. Usually leaven is used for sin or evil intent.

Mat 16:11  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 

Mat 16:12  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 

It surprises me how easily a wolf can deceive. Even the disciples were slow to understand when Jesus warned them of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. I suppose that they were fooled by their outward appearance and their confident speaking. Wolves full of leaven can destroy a nation too, because the people have little discernment. Read the Bible and walk in the light, then you will know the true from the false ones.

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Sin unto death

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

What is the sin unto death? Is it not rejecting Jesus as Lord and going out into the world? Where is the proof? I think you will know through the Spirit's witness if someone is not of God. Note, that John is speaking of a brother, a professing believer. A professing believer may not be truly committed to Christ.

I have seen people who left being a Christian who were enemies of the cross. They became antichrist like. Wolves doing all they could to destroy the faith of other people. We see them in the world going to court to stop the display of the ten commandments or placing anti God billboards in public places.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

I was one who for a time fell away, don't be too swift to abandon someone who has fallen away. It may be that a great trial or sorrow has come upon the person. If this is the case we should go to them seeking their restoration.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Some are to be sought after and some are to be avoided.

Are you for real?

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Once you are saved, I believe that God's Spirit stays with you and you will be with Jesus. But, this must be a true conversion, for if you fall away, then where is the evidence of your new life in Christ?

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Stay the course.

Not I

We have heard of soul mates. I see the soul as the persons self, the flesh and the lusts of the flesh. The soul seeks another soul to control or to have it's needs met. The Spirit of Christ in us, seeks the things of God and is selfless. The mind of Christ seeks to do the will of God. I see that often there is a conflict between soul and spirit. 

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Our soul is who we are, but we are not all carnal, fleshly, the spirit seeks God. Jesus makes soul and Spirit one in him. Thank you Jesus for saving me from myself.

 

The mind of Christ in us, is good. We seek His thoughts, we read the Bible, we meditate on it, we do good things; but Paul says in the flesh there is evil. When we give ourselves over to the flesh , then we sin and sin by the law brings death. The bottom line is that the law is holy and good, but our flesh brings sin and death. The good news is that in Christ we are forgiven and we receive his grace. The mind of Christ is all powerful, but the flesh is weak and lazy. Again, we overcome the flesh by faith.

 

 Romans 8 gives us the way of victory.

 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Spirit requires us to walk by the will of God, he directs our lives and he loves us. Thank you Jesus.

Picking time

Two Jalapeno faces, Smiley and Bob,  to be put in salsa. 

We had a good crop of tomatoes this year. Jealousy has no place with brothers, especially in God's family.

Gen 4:3  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 
Gen 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 
Gen 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 
Gen 4:6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 
Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 

Gen 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

The persimmon leaves are turning colors.

Lev 26:3  If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 

Lev 26:4  Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 

The leaves look like lanterns when the sun shines 

from behind.

John 18:3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

John 18:4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 

John 18:5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 

John 18:6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 

The persimmons are ready to pick and to dry.

They last longer when dried. Dried  raisins and figs were mentioned in the Bible. Sharing food with David's men kept away David's wrath upon Abigail's foolish husband, Nabal. 

1Sa 25:14  But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. 

1Sa 25:15  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: 

1Sa 25:16  They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 

1Sa 25:17  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. 

1Sa 25:18  Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. 

1Sa 25:19  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. 

1Sa 25:20  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. 

Arise and Shine

When we used to visit my folks before they went home to the LORD, my mother would say to us "you bring life to us." I remember back when I was a young man in the hospital; my mom and dad would come to be with me every day and when my two older brothers would visit, they brought life and strength to me. When our ministry team brings music and the gospel message twice a week to the rest home services, some of them say to us that we bring life to them. Jesus is our light and the life that brought us the light of God. His presence continues in those he has saved. We are his light in this sin darkened world.

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

This refers to Israel in the Millennium, when the Lord comes in the midst of his chosen people Israel, but the application is for now, to those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Look around and we see the darkness covering the earth. Sin and shame and fear and despair cover the land, but we are not just from the land, we are made heavenly creations in Christ Jesus, his ambassadors and light bearers.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

What then? As ambassadors for Christ, we are not to be hidden in the darkness, but to get up and get out and shine for Jesus. Not only shine in appearance but with the word of life. We are not to be in darkness and gloom, we are to be like Jesus: full of life. He has arisen and his glory will be seen on us for we are in Christ by faith and the giving of his Holy Spirit. As He shined at the Mount of transfiguration, so we shall shine with a holy glow from within. We also are to associate with others of his light, encouraging one another, showing that we are one people of God; the Church of Jesus Christ and the chosen of God.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

The darkness needs the light from Jesus. Those who are of God, will come out of darkness; those who remain, prefer the darkness. Politically correct people of darkness, may persecute those of the light. It is God who makes the laws, not man. Any law that transgresses the law of God is sin and darkness. God is not mocked, for the light shines and that which is true will gladly respond to that light, and not come against it.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Quickened

A young buck dashes in front of me on my evening walk.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

We were like Adam, dead in trespasses and sins, breaking the laws of God.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Sun punctured through the clouds bringing light

to the darkness giving hope to the lost.

You who were once dead in sins, has God made alive in Christ Jesus, giving you eternal life in the Holy Spirit. As sinners we were under the sentence of death and our spirit was dead to the things of God. We were not interested in spiritual things.

Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

In times past you obeyed the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. In Daniel this was described as the prince of Persia, an angelic power of satan that restrained an angel from delivering a message to Daniel for two weeks. Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Michael is the head angel, but is not the Lord of hosts, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So then, in the air are principalities and powers, which have certain domains. This evil spirit works in the children of disobedience

I cropped a picture of trees to this suspicious image. There are devils among us, but greater is the Holy Spirit. 

Samuel told Saul in a prophecy about the evils of rebellion:

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The fawn looks innocent as he watches me 

through the brush.

Paul warns the church, that once they were disobedient, but now they are alive in Christ and must obey him in all things.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

The white egret is very much alert. 

I can cause it to fly being

a hundred yards away from it.

How blessed are those who have received the mercy of God and his grace by receiving his son Jesus into new life. It was not our goodness that saved us, but the finished work of Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, who shed his blood for our sins. We are quickened in body and spirit by our Lord's spirit that dwells in us.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Victory in Jesus

Tom was a young man saved through our Internet ministry. He with others in a "Free" family of new believers grew in their faith in Jesus Christ. They helped many others come out of bondage into liberty. Tom gave his life in Iraq having re enlisted in the army. He gave his all to secure freedom for others and led other soldiers to Jesus. Death where is your sting? Only in our missing those who have departed. But we will be together forever in God's forever kingdom. Those we have lost contact with will be reunited in glory.

1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

We do not fear the punishment of sin that is death. The law of sin and death is not for the Christian. Jesus has given us victory over death and the grave. We live eternally in new resurrected bodies.

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

No, your labour is not in vain. We are not bound to everlasting torment. Works do not save anyone, but Jesus saves. Our works for him have an everlasting reward. Perhaps the best reward will be seeing others you witnessed to in glory with you. Already some have died that I helped find Jesus, some died with strongholds, but I believe Jesus' blood still saves. There is victory in Jesus, and no bad or evil thing will inherit glory, only that which is in Christ Jesus. Jesus' blood washed us clean and we are made acceptable to God our father. Be stedfast, unmoveable in your faith, always abounding, over and above  measure . Your cup overflowing with zeal for the Lord, for you know your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Brotherly Love

 Brotherly love requires that we have the same Father. God's love "agape love" reaches out to all people.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Be as a families love and affection to one another in the Lord's family, with;
brotherly love - philadelphia - love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
in honour preferring one another;

Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,


Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Affectionate brotherly love is for the family of God, we cannot be on the same level of affection with the unsaved, they do not have God's spirit, but we are to have compassion. We are to tell them about God's love for them and show them Jesus with prayers and kindness.

Jude 1:20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude 1:23  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 

The Gospel

Good behavior is very important for we are to let our light shine before men, but our behavior alone will not save anyone. We must tell them about Jesus Christ and give them the gospel message. A church may be full of nice people and many join to be accepted, but many churches do not preach the gospel. At the heart of man is sin, we all need to be saved. Our righteousness is as filthy rags,we must come into the spiritual body of Christ and receive and be seen in his righteousness.

Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul said that he was a debtor to all men. He owed every person a chance to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ. He was not ashamed of the gospel message.

What is the gospel message that he preached?

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Christ's death burial and resurrection for our sins was the gospel that he preached. He preached the cross and the blood of Christ spilled for our healing and our sins. By faith we believe and receive the grace of God and are the born again sons of God. We are to be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a new spiritual life we receive and we are to be renewed by the word of God in our minds and hearts. The just shall live by faith and all things are possible through our faith in God.

Sweeter than Honey

A popular hymn sung by a group at a local Bible college, says:  "You can't stand on God's promises if you don't know what they are." This applies to the church and to our nation that was founded on the precepts of the Bible and requires a Bible believing people to be able to keep the constitution. In the schools the Bible is not tolerated while almost every evil described in the Bible is allowed. Tolerance of sin and very  little personal responsibility is being taught. Truth is replaced by repeating back to the teacher what is politically correct.The teaching is that anything goes and that you are to have self esteem. We see people from the top down blaming someone else and not taking personal responsibility for their actions.

You Can't Stand on Promises - Sounds of Shasta - YouTube

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

The Bible is God's word and will to us. The law, is not just the 10 commandments. the word law is "torah", it refers to the complete word of God.

The statutes are things committed to our trust, the principals and practices of God's word.

The commandments are the doctrines; the just shall live by faith and the way of God is pure and holy.

The fear and reverence of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and it is everlasting. The judgments, knowing right from wrong are from God and not to be altered by man or by political correctness.

God's way is pure and holy, the heart of man is evil. Our hearts are made new by the word of God and by faith in Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we live in his will.

I agree with the Psalmist, how sweet is the word of God and Holy is the LORD, living in Him, we live forever in joy and in peace.

Pledge of Allegiance

When I have lunch with my wife at the Senior center, before we eat I stand and we pledge  allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

Whereas I always have said the pledge with pride in our countries values, it is with a tinge of sadness as I think of the deep and good meaning of the values the flag represents.

 One nation under God.

indivisible

with Liberty

And Justice

for all.

Those who are changing America are doing it at the expense of the core values that our flag represents. They want to remove God, or replace him with foreign gods. The country is deeply divided. A nation without God cannot stand. Freedom and liberty are being removed as the constitution and the Bill of Rights are being ignored by more "modern" ways. No more justice for all.

"We the people" of God have the presence of God, the Holy Spirit with us.  We are to allow God in us to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
John 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

The devil is orchestrating all of this into a New World Order. Then instead of establishing a good democracy, He will appoint a wicked tyrant. It is already explained to us in the Bible. The world has no truth, because they left God. We have the truth of God which makes us important to God and the founding father's vision of America. The new world government will try to silence us, but we are free in Christ Jesus. They can't take the Holy Spirit from us. Speak the truth in love. God is at the beginning and the end of this world. He will bring order to the world when he comes. The elite of the world mock his message, but that is nothing "new." These things must be before His coming.

The Pledge of Allegiance - YouTube

(HD 720p) "Stars and Stripes Forever", John Philip Sousa - YouTube