It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

We Learn Obedience and Faith Through the Things We Suffer 

August 22, 2024

As followers of Christ, we must change the way we view life and how we assess and evaluate the things that we go throughand the things that happens to us and around us. Some people have been taught a belief that followers of Christ should not suffer or experience, hardship, agony or grief. This is so far from the truth, because this fallen world system is filled with challenges, pain and misery.  We all will suffer in this life at some point. It is in the process of going through these hardships that we learn to trust, respect and rely on God’s word, just as Jesus did. 

Hebrews 5:8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. NKJ

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJ

God sent His Son to redeem this world and to pay a debt that we could not pay. Through the things He suffered He learned obedience and trust in God. He trusted God in navigating His life in this fallen world system.  We all will encounter tests and trials that will challenge our faith but it is when we choose to put our trust in God our Father and be obedient to His word, even to the point of pain or suffering, that our faith is displayed to this loss world. 

1 Peter4:12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. NKJ

God required obedience from the first Adam but he rebelled and disobeyed God’s command. Jesus came as the second Adam and even though He was the Son of God, He was obedient even to the death on a cross. Jesus was despised and rejected by men and He endured the shame of dying for our sins.  Jesus said, the servant is not greater than His master and the challenges and rejection He went through we as believers will go through at some point. But it is how we go through or navigate our problems that tries our faith that reveals our loyalties.  

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJ     

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJ

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. NKJ

Christ is our example in that He trusted in every situation that God would judge all things right. That God would orchestrate and guide His life situations in ways that would eventually bring God glory and allow God’s light to shine into dark places.  Some situations may appear as though we are without any hope of being vindicated in this life. Though it may have appeared in the natural that Christ was defeated when He died on the cross, but His death was the very event that brought victory and allowed sinners to be saved by grace.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. NKJ

We too will experience persecution, rejection and some may experience physical harm or may live as outcasts, or as though dead to family and friends. But it is when we respond to these situations in love, that these crises will demonstrate and display our faith in God love. Our limited minds can only see things in part, but the Almighty God can reach across the lines of life and death, rich and poor, soul and spirit to bring about a triumph that no one could have imagined.  

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJ

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” NKJ

The difference between the world’s way and the followers of Christ is how they will respond to persecution. We are to show love in face of oppositions and to be the example of how love while being challenged. So to show others how they are to act during times of hardship or suffering. 

The world will say, you deserve better or you should not have to suffer through these hard times. However, God tells us differently, that we will experience tribulations as Christ followers. Jesus was sent to seek and to save the lost, He came and His life was spent, depleted and used so that we may be redeemed.  Just as Followers of Christ are also being sent and poured out for a lost world. Therefore, we too must die to ourown ambition and lay aside those monetary life accomplishments if need be for the sake of someone’s eternal soul. Followers of Christ in the natural world, are to lay these things aside to do the work of God in the lives of those around us. This is so that others who are lost might be saved, to have eternal life with Christ forever. 

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” NKJ

When an olive is crushed or the grape is pressed, the true essence of the inner substance, the oil or juice will flow out. It is when a cup is rattled or shaken that what lies within spills out. The same goes for humanity, as life presses in on us, that which dominates our spirit within will spills out, be it the love of God or hate and fear which is of the enemy. 

When life comes at us hard, when we are totally spent and exhausted, that is when our true expression of faith in God will be seen. It is our true self that is an automatic response in those hard situations and will be shown in that instant. Rather than justifying our actions with the reasons of this world, be it stress, anxiety or anger, we should take note as to what flowed out of our soul and spirit. It is in the recognition and the confession of the problem that we can ask God to create in us a clean heart, right spirit and to let His love flow in and through us. 

2 Timothy 4:5-6 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. NKJ

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. KJV

Life is about challenges and choices and it is through these challenges that we make know our choices. Followers of Christ must stand firm as Satan constantly comes to try and create doubt and to challenge God’s word. It is how we choose to respond to these problems that will display our faith and beliefs in God to both the natural and spiritual world around us. God is glorified when we obey His word and this reveals our faith and trust in God’s love for us. 

Romans 16:19-20 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. NKJ

 

 

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Faith Is Displayed through Obedience!

August 12, 2024

God’s goal and purpose for our lives is a life of faith, which is demonstrated through obedience. It is the act of obedience that gives a tangible testimony of our faith in God’s Preeminence and His dominion over all things. 

It is in obedience to God’s word in the face of adversity, danger or misfortune that verifies, confirms and proves that we trust in God’s ability to see us through all situations and circumstances. It is our faith that pleases God and it is through our trust and obedience to Him that our faith is revealed.  

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

It was in disobedience to God’s purpose for his life that Satan allowed pride to rise in him, birthing sin into existence in heaven. The one command God gave Adam was to obey Him, and to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Satan then led Adam and Eve into the acts of disobedience causing sin to be born into this world and ushering in this fallen world system. They had more faith in the words of Satan, their own desire and pride, desiring to have the same knowledge as God, rather than being obedience to God’s word. 

This is why God says obedience is better than sacrifice. Peoplemay give and sacrifice things that they possess as an expression of their wealth, position or conscience but it is obedience that isa true reflection and evidence of a heart of faith in God.   

1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. NKJ

The one command God gave Adam is the same one He has given us and that is to obey Him. For obedience is more important to God than any service we can offer. It is in obedience to God’s will for our life that we may suffer hardships and may have to sacrifice those things that areimportant to us, at the cost of friendship, family or life itself. 

It is in the humbleness of mind and self that we are able to give up our things, our rights and our way of living so we can submit to God’s will for our lives. It is when we humble ourselves before God and release the reins of our lives to Him and trustHim, that we able to operate in faith through obedience to God’s will, His word and His way. 

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJ

Jesus came and showed us how to live a life of obedience to God through humility and humbleness of spirit, He beingwilling to suffer personally for the ultimate will and glory of God. Jesus even though He was The Son of God, He was also the Son of Man and He learned obedience through the things He suffered. 

Hebrews 5:8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. NKJ

May we too display our faith in God through obedience, even in our pain, in our suffering and in our loss, so that a dying world may see and know the Hope we have in Christ. 

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

 

 

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o Lay Down Our Life for The Love of Christ!  

June 25, 2024

Some may say they love Christ and are willing to die for Him, or to be a martyr for Christ. Others may say they are willing to give of their possessions for Christ, to give to the poor and needy. Some may be willing to live a life of service for Christ on the mission fields, to leave home and family for Christ. But, the one commandment Jesus has given us, is to love one another as He has loved us, by laying down our life for Christ. To lay down our life is to die to selfishness, self-centeredness and pride. 

1 Corinthians 13:3-5 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked,thinks no evil; NKJ

John 15:12-13

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. NKJ

Pride is the root cause of all sin. It is pride, our feeling of self-importance that makes us put our wants, needs and desires above all else, including God.  It was pride that caused Satan to try and exalt himself above the throne of God. It was pride, the desire to be more, to know more and to be as important as God, that caused Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is the same today, the desire to put self-first above everything and everyone that causes us to sin. Pride causes us to refuse to lay down our life, wants and desires, and it also causes us to refuse to obey God’s command to loveothers.

John 15:14-15 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus has called us friend, and He is asking us to lay down our life for Him, just as He has lay down His life for us. Jesus is that Friend whom we are to lay down our life for. He is the only one that deserves our total commitment. There is no greater love for Christ than for us to consciously, willingly and intentionally decide to put the love for others and put their needs before our own, to lay down our life for Christ, because that is how He has loved us. 

To lay down one’s life is harder than being a martyr, a one-time action, than giving of our wealth out of our surplus, or the sacrificing for service that can be self-serving.  For us to decide to lay down our life is a continuous, ongoing, lifelong process that we must do daily. To daily decide to not be selfish or prideful and to seek the welfare and betterment of others. This is a practiced skill that we must repeat daily in order to get better at it. Like any skill, the more we practice it the better we become at it, and it is usually a challenge at the beginning.

To lay down our life for our Friend, Jesus, is to seek Christ’sinterest in others. It is no longer putting ourselves before others but seeking God’s best for them. Realizing this still may cost us our life, our wealth or our time but the motive is love, that same love our Friend, Jesus Christ, has given us.  When we lay down our life of selfish concerns, then the love Christ has given us now flows from us to others.  

God is not asking us to die for Him, but to live for Him. To live our life in a way that shows love for others and to put them before our own selfish needs. Tree pruning is needed to grow good fruit. Unneeded or excess saplings or sprouts, whichdrains the tree of needed nutrients, are cut away to keep them from hindering the fruit from growing well.   

When the main branches stay attached to the vine it receives its supply and can produce good fruit.  When we remain in relationship, fellowship and communion with God through faith in Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit we can ask the Father whatever we want.  We will receive it, because we ask in Jesus’ name, in Jesus’ character, in Jesus’ love and purpose for us and others.  

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. NKJ 

John 15:16-17 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. NKJ

Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, that we may live for Him and with Him, so shall we also do in this life. We are to lay down our self-interest, pride and selfishness so that we may show the love of Christ to those who may be unlovely but not unlovable. Jesus loves the whole world and gave Himself for us.  

1 John 2:2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. NLT 

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJ

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Perception VS Perspective   “To Follow Jesus”

June 12, 2024

Perspective, is the ability (whether natural or acquired) ofseeing all the relevant facts, records and data in a meaningfulway that is, reciprocal, interrelating or corresponding to amutual relationship. Perspective gives meaning to the other person’s view by putting oneself in their position, and it gives one the ability to see past themselves to develop a view that is inclusive and not exclusive. 

There is a general perception that all a person has to do is to say that Jesus is the Son of God and they will go to heaven.  This is the only information they have received and have known; therefore, it is their perception and their reality, but it is totally wrong! It does not line up with His word, Jesus said, if anyone wants to come after Him, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus, this still applies today.  

The true perspective is that Jesus gave of Himself, He died on the cross that we may have a new way of living that operates in God’s kingdom.  Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him.  To “take up” is a continuous act of taking up and not something that is done just one time. Therefore, we are to daily and continuously take our cross and die to self (pride, self-interest), while putting God’s kingdom ways and purpose in the forefront.  

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJ

Many people will say they know Jesus and that they are a Christian, just because they have an intellectual knowledge of Jesus and yet, they do not obey or follow after Jesus. They do not walk or live in His way, which is to deny self-pride and to love others. They do not receive His truth according to the written word of God that Jesus is the only way to the Father. They do not have eternal life with the Father because they have refused the only way, which is the acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord, the One Savior that they must obey and serve.  

John 14:6-7 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

Most people think they can keep on living their lives according to this fallen world of sin and still have a safety net of salvation. This is because of their perception is that they can say one thing with their mouth, while refusing to live a life of commitment to Christ’s kingdom way, which is to love others and deny self-pride. The true perspective is what Jesus says, that we are to die to self-interest. Just as a grain of wheat must die and be buried that it may sprout and produce more grain, we also should die to self-pride and produce more fruit in the lives of others. The person who loves their life more than the love of Christ, will eventually lose it. Those who die to pride -self, who choose to serve Jesus and to follow in His footsteps by loving others as He has loved us, God the Father will honor.  

John 12:24-26 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

It is in the challenges of life that we seek God and grow and arebeing fashioned into the image of Christ. It is through the things we suffer that we learn to be obedient to God’s word. 

Hebrew 5: 8-9 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, NKJ

We are not to allow our personal perceptions, concerns, struggles and biases mar or distort our perception of God, so that we are unable to see God’s perspective and His kingdom ways while living here on the earth. We must understand there is sin on the earth and we have an enemy, Satan, who wants to kill, steal and destroy the God-like image we have in and on us. Therefore, life will not be without hurts and pain, but what the enemy meant for evil God will turn those things around to grow us and transform us into the image of Christ. 

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. NKJ

Our perceptions may be limited by our own life experiences, which shapes what we think of ourselves and others and what we believe we can or cannot do. Some statements we perceive as fact or real but they are not true. A true perspective as fact is only revealed after the reality of God’s truth is established. 

God’s perspective is Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”Not a way or just one of many ways but “The” only way to the Father. God’s truth says we can live this life victoriously, because we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Fear and Faith Are the Currency by Which We TransactBusiness in the Spiritual Realm

May 15, 2024

In the natural world there are many types of currencies, dollars, euros, yens, silver, gold and many more in which various countries uses to purchase goods and services. In the spiritual realm there are two types of currencies, fear and faith. When people operate in fear, that currency will be used to attract to them anxiety, apprehension, mistrust or worry. When we operate in the currency of faith we can surround ourselves with things such as peace, love, harmony and good will from the spirit realm into the natural. 

Faith and fear are like powerful magnets that can attract the love and the power of God or fear and the destruction of Satan.  Faith is grounded in the love God has toward us, that helps us accomplish our desires, hopes and His purpose in our lives. Fear is the tool Satan uses to incapacitate us so that he may come to kill, steal and destroy all that God has purposed for us, which is showing the love of God and living in our Divine purpose. 

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJ

To be afraid or fearful is to be frightened or in dread of some terrible act or thing. It is that negative energy that draws to itself the darkness of this fallen world and is what Satan loves to thrive and feed on. 

The word afraid is first mentioned in Genesis chapter three after Adam had rebelled and disobeyed God he then began to operate in fearfulness. The first thing fear did to Adam was to make him, self-conscious, self-focus and self-centered concerned only about himself to the point that he was blaming his wife. The one he once valued and highly esteemed, she became the culprit who made him eat and sin. 

Genesis 3:9-12 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

Faith is a way of thinking, it is a viewpoint which determines our outlook, belief and commitment to the love God has for us. Faith is a stance that is unwavering in belief on the principles, precepts and truth of God’s infallible word and His love. Faith is an attitude with dedication that we are here for God’s glory and purpose. We are to show God’s love to a lost world so those who do not know Him may come to know Him and the power of His love through us. Faith is a perspective, where we look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is Christ’s love in us that causes us to see and do things differently. 

Hebrew 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJ

We often hear people speak of negative energy and staying away from negative people while trying to stay positive. This is just the world’s way of saying what is happening in the spirit realm. The world understand negative people and negative energy can cause fear and dread in our lives. While being around people with a positive faith energy and a godly perspective will help build up and encourage us.   

To say we have faith in God and live in fear are two polar opposites. These two things cannot coexist in one place, because light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. If light is present darkness must flee and when darkness is present it is because there is an absence of light. We are told how to keep the light of God in in our lives, we are to think on the things that are pure, just and of good report and not things that cause confusion, hatred and fear.  Each of us will choose what we allow to stay in our minds and what we fix our mind and thoughts on.  We are told to let the mind of Christ be in us and to let our hope be rooted in the perfect love that God has for us. 

Philippians 2:5-6 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. NKJ

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. NKJ

We are constantly transacting business in the spiritual realm whether we are consciously aware or not. We are earthly beings living our natural lives in this earthly setting until our natural lives expire and return to earth. We are also spiritual beings with an eternal soul, which came from God and will also return back to its source, God, where we will be resigned and reconciled for all eternity. 

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. NIV

Numbers 27:16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, NKJ

Job 34: 14-15 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. NKJ

To be afraid or to be full of fear will paralyze people from moving forward, it is a by-product of the fall of mankind. To fear something is to give it a strong yet undue respect and this high regard and respect should only be given to God. It is our life actions and decisions that will speak to and reflect whether we are living in faith or fear. 

Luke 12:4-5 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! NKJ

When people fear what the world says about them or what the world may do to them, this can be use as an excuse to disobey God. People are allowing the fear and anxiety they have for the world to rise greater than their respect, love and trust in God. When we allow anything to have more reverence than God’s word, this is an insult to God and it is a distrust of His ability to provide and protect us.

Our biggest challenge is not to fight the devil; he is a defeated foe, nor people who are against us. Our biggest challenge is to stay in faith and love and to fight the good fight of faith when life hits us hard. When things do not appear to be fair or just, our position of faith should be that of love. The just shall live by faith. Faith is the truth of who we are now that the Holy Spirit is living inside us and who God has called us to be.

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   Ungodly Fear Feeds on Itself – While Faith Rests in the Assurance of God’s Word 

April 10, 2024

Fear is like an appetite that will not be satisfied. The more we fear the greater the fear increases and grows. Fear and anxiety are like a force of negative energy that feeds on itself and it constantly breeds more fear. While faith is confidence in the Almighty God and the assurance that He and His word will not fail us regardless of how the circumstances look or appear.   

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Job 3:25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.

What we fear the most tends to be the thing that consumes our thoughts, our soul and our very life energy. Fear can grip a person’s heart so that they will be anxious to the point of being paralyzed and unable to function. Fear is a result of the fall of mankind, it is a corrupt, perverted and the polar opposite of faith. Fear gives great weight and undue respect to the twisted and distorted words of the enemy of God and this fallen world system. But Faith is knowing the true and living God and totally trusting in His word. 

Genesis 3:10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Faith is the full assurance and belief in God’s word, whether we see it manifested or not at the moment. We know God is faithful to His word and in this we have peace, peace of mind and peace of spirit knowing that The Almighty God, Jehovah’s word has spoken on the matter and it will surely come to pass.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear. NKJ

What is our reaction to problems and how do we respond? Do we shriek and cry in fear of the impending doom or just any unknow? Or do we run to the Rock of our salvation, our Defender and Protector, the Almighty God Jehovah, who is our loving heavenly Father. What we choose to fear or stand in awe of, is what will rule over our lives. Be it the fear of Satan which paralyzes, or to have a reverence and respectful fear and awe of God who strengthens and directs us with His word and His counsel.  

Psalms 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Many people believe that fear is a justifiable excuse to not move forward in the task we have been assigned and a good reason to not obey God because we are afraid of what might happen. Fear is no excuse; it only reveals where our true trust, and distrust lies.  Fear only says, we do not trust that God is able to deliver, provide or protect us in this matter. Fear believes more in Satan and gives him a greater weight in our lives. Or sometimes our love for self is not willing to suffer and it outweighs our faith in God. 

Proverbs 1:27-33 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” NKJ

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Jesus conquered all sin, powers and principalities. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. While we were at enmity with God, in rebellion and treason against Him, God sent Jesus to reconcile us back to Himself. No matter the sin, Jesus paid the debt we owed and died the death we deserved, shedding His blood so that we might have a chance to choose life eternal through faith and hope in Christ.  

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.NKJ

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and the wickedhave no fear of God.  

Psalms 36:1-3 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. NKJ

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Life is about choices and with fear we can choose whom we will fear and what definition we will live by.

Fear of Satan: ​F – Forget  E – Everything   A – And    R – Run

Fear of God: ​F – Face     E – Everything   A – And     R – Rise

Life has always been about choices, from the very beginning Adam chose to disobey God and believed the lie of Satan.  Now Jesus has come again to give us another chance to choose to obey and reverence the awe of God and have faith in Christ. The choice is still ours to make, whether we will live in belief of God’s word, or to live in fear. Fear is the first of the list of the unbelieving and abominable. 

Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. NKJ

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” NKJ

We are to choose this day whom we will serve! As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. 

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To Be a Disciple /Follower of Christ!

March 12, 2024

A disciple of Christ, has different and specific requirements and conditions, than that of becoming (saved), which is a believer who issaved by grace through faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift from God, to those who believe in the completed work of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  The meaning of being a disciple, is to be a pupil, a student, an understudy, a follower of the doctrine of the teacher or that school of thought; or it could also be one of the personal followers of Christ during His earthly life. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJ

Jesus gave, what appeared to be some very hard, difficult and demanding requirements for a person to become His disciple. That would be a person whose beliefs, principles and doctrine line up with Jesus’ word and beliefs. Jesus explained, that to be His disciple they will need to hate father, mother, wife, children and even their own life and follow Him or else they cannot be His disciple. 

Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. NKJ

This may sound like an egotistical, narcissistic and self-absorbed God, but in fact these are loving and kind words coming from an omnipotent (the all-powerful, invincible and unstoppable), God who is also omniscient (the all-seeing, all-wise, all knowing).  God is the source of love and without God we will not know how to love others or ourselves well. 

We see so many broken lives because people were trying to love others out of their own self-centered and selfish concerns and desires. When we come to God, who is our source and allow Him to show us how to show love, in this life we can have peace and joy. It is when we operate under the manufacturer’s instructions, that we are able to get maximum results. We have seen people who try to put together or operate machinery without reading the instruction manual, only to see the product damaged. 

The enemy is still telling the same lie he told in the garden and trying to make people believe that God is holding them back. That God does not want them to have fun or be happy, the devil is a liar and deceiver. It wasGod’s good pleasure to create all that was in the garden and all that is in the earth and all the marvelous things seen in nature for us to enjoy. 

One thing we must understand when reading Jesus’ word is that He was speaking in a middle-eastern language and their words often times have many and various meanings, so everything must be read within the context from which it was written. God gave us the principle of having two or three witnesses to establish a matter. In the same way the Bible confirmsand certifies every principle in two or three scripture text and that is how the word of God verifies and validates itself.

Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ NKJ

The word hate used in this text was miseo, which can mean to detest or to love less. In this context Jesus is telling His disciples that they must love less their father, mother, wife, children and even their own life if they want to become His disciple. Jesus never demands allegiance, commitment or loyalty.  He gives everyone the choice to choose, “if” you come to be my disciple, if your aim, hope or desire is to become My disciple you must choose to love Me more that all of these. Jesus is not telling us to despise our family or ourselves but, as followers of Christ, we are to put Him first. Jesus knew that it is in our best interest and benefit to put Him first, and love Him more because in Him is where all our needs are truly met.

Mark 12:30-31 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

We are to love God with our total being, our body, soul and spirit. With our body, (our mouth) we confess our belief in Christ, with our soul, (our will, mind, intellect and personality) we believe in our hearts that God by His grace sent Jesus to save us. Then our dead spirit is revived, renewed and restored so that we may be, once again alive in the family of God.  

It is only when we love God more and put Him first that we are able to love others well. It is God who instructs and teaches us how to operate in humility and not pride, how to forgive and not be bitter and to love even when it is unrequited, or we do not receive love in return.  

If we do not love God more than father, mother, wife, children and even our own life, we will operate out of a fallen and depraved mindset which, leads only to destruction of the things that we say we love. To be a disciple of Jesus we are to follow His ways, His teaching and His doctrine. 

John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 

As followers of Christ, we are instructed to put Jesus first and foremost and to love others less, even ourselves. If we do not put our love for Godfirst, we will not know how to love others appropriately.

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The Prayer of Salvation and Making Jesus Our Savior  

February 29, 2024

Salvation is God’s gift to all humanity in allowing us another chance to be redeemed from our disobedience, our curse and our rebellious acts with the fall of mankind.  Salvation is a gift, no one can earn it or deserves it, but they can choose to accept or refused it. God has given us the simple act of the prayer of faith in His Son Jesus, to be rescued and delivered from sin and given eternal salvation. 

 This process may be simple but yet, it has a great, profound and overwhelming effect on our lives, our character and the people we influence.  The prayer of salvation is praying to God, asking for the forgiveness of our sins, because we believe in the blood, the death and the resurrection for the debt that Jesus paid for us on the cross.  By asking Jesus to come into our livesand to be our Lord and Savior our souls are save for eternity. 

 We are shown this process in the book of Romans. This is the prayer of faith and how we can become children of the Most-High God and be in the family and household of God. With our body we confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord over our lives and with our soul we believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. Then the Holy Spirit comes and our spirit is made alive and we are made righteous by the Holy Spirit of God. 

Romans 10: 9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. NKJ 

 Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  NKJ 

Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. NKJ 

 God created us as a tri-part being; body, soul and spirit. We have a natural body created from the earth.  Oursoul, is our personality, character, intellect and will. It is our soul that gives us our individuality, it is our God given ability to choose our path in life and how we will develop our character, be it right or wrong.  

 Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. NKJ 

 Death can have two meanings; one is that a thing ceases to exist in its natural form and another is that there is a separation from the life-giving source that a thing needs to continue to exist in its current form.  When God created mankind, He breathed into themHis God like spirit and they became a living being with a soul and an eternal spirit like God, which will never cease to exist. 

 The day they rebelled against God and disobeyed His command, their God like spirit left the natural body and the man, as God had created him, no longer existed.  Their God likeness, His Shekinah Glory that shined bright all over them, their God like spirit, leftthem that day and their nakedness was revealed. Man as God had created and made him originally, died that day with the separation of the Spirit leaving mankind with just his body and soul. The body of mankind will later die when the soul returns to its source and maker.

Genesis 3: Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 

 Through the confession and the prayer of faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God will come back into our hearts and our God given spirit will be born again. We can once again turn from death, to life everlasting and no longer be counted as one of the “living dead.”  The living dead are those whose body and soul is alive and functioning but their spirit is dead to the things of God. This is what Jesus meant when He said, let the dead bury their dead. He was speaking of those whose spirit was dead and not alive in Christ. 

 Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” NKJ 

 John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. NKJ  

 God has given us the simple process to be saved, the ABC salvation; Admit, Believe and Confess which involves mankind as the tri-part being, body, soul and spirit. 

 Admit and say with our mouth, (which involve our body) that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

Believe in our heart, (which is our soul) that Jesus gave His blood, died on the cross and was raised again to pay our sin debt.

Confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and there by receive the Holy Spirit (where by our spirit is reborn) to become a new creation in the family of God. 

 2Chorinthains 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. NKJ

 It is no longer the things we do, or do not do, but the choices we make for our lives and our future, that is our will. When we choose Jesus, and through the prayer of faith receive Him as our Lord, the righteousness of Christ will put us into a right standing with God and in His family. 

 God has given every person a free will to choose their path in life and who they will serve.  We are free to choose but we are not free from the consequences of our choices. We have been told to choose this day whom we will serve.

Joshua 24:14-15 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the Riverand in Egypt. Serve the Lord!   And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”NKJ

A seed that is planted in the soil is hidden from our eyes and though we cannot see the growth that is taking place in the soil, in time we will see the transformation of that seed, the growth and the fruit that is produced. This is much like the process of us being born again with the seed of God planted in our spirit though me may not see the growth immediately over time we will see a transformation. 

 We should be mindful of what seeds we are planting and thereby what crop we will be gathering. 

 When we truly believe and pray this prayer of faith, we can be sure that we are saved, by faith in God’s word. God’s word is our assurance and not our works, and by God’s promise we know that we are in the family and household of God.

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 The Awesome Love of God                        

February 13, 2024

Love is truly the one universal language. The expression of Love is understood no matter what country, culture or dialect it may be, and every people group has a way of expressing their love to others. The ability to know love is an awesome gift from God.  Natural love is something that is shared, imparted and communicated not only to those who are in love but it is also felt by the people around them. But, through of the power of the Holy Spirit God has given us a supernatural love and by this Spirit we have the ability to love others as God has loved us. 

1 John 4:12-16 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. NKJ

This love that we experience and share is the expression of the character of God Himself. God who is the total embodiment, picture and example of love, gave us the ability to show love, tobe loved, and to comprehend the love of others.

This is such a gracious gift from God, He could have made us without emotions and without the ability to express and experience love. But God in His awesome love and great compassion for us, gave us the capacity to know the natural love of humanity and through the power of the Holy Spirit we have the ability to display and show the supernatural love of God to others. Just as He has loved His creation and His people, we too have this ability to love others as He has loved us. 

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NK

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. NKJ

God saw the depravity of fallen mankind and the hopelessness of our lost state. His great compassion recognized our need to be saved from eternal destruction.  Because of God’s awesome Love for humanity, He gave His best and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus. Jesus came into the world to seek and to save those who would come to believe through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.  

1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.   In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.NKJ

We can see and observe the natural love a parent has for a child or child for a parent. We can feel the love intuitively, or just through the absorption of feelings of the love between a beloved and their cherished one. That is why we like to read novels and watch movies about the simple interaction of love,which is expressed from one person to another and this is a gift from God. 

Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. NKJ

Again, just as we are able to communicate love to others in our natural state, God has given us the ability to show the supernatural love of God to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. The supernatural love of God transcends and surpasses natural attachments and bonds. God’s Holy Spiritliving in us knits His love in our hearts for others, that they may know and see His love for them through us.

Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, NKJ

Galatians 2:20 have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me  NKJ

As we grow in our knowledge of God and His love for us, God’s love is rooted in us and flows through us and spreads abroad.  

1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, NKJ

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. NKJ

Out of the love God has for us, Jesus came and fulfilled the law of God in the Old Testament and paid all the sin debt that we owed because of our rebellion against God. And in the New Testament Jesus has given us this commandment, to love one another as He has loved us. That is selflessly and generously, putting the welfare of others before ourselves.  

John 15: 12-13This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. NKJ

In showing the awesomeness of God’s love;

We are to reveal the love of God to others.

We are to reflect the glory of God in the earth.

We are to resemble the character and likeness of God in our daily lives.

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Psalms 112 Is the Roadmap to Life’s Success

January 30, 2024

God has given us the roadmap to success for now and eternity and not just for us, but for our children and our posterity in Psalms 112.

In a distorted way, to obtain success, this world is sacrificing their lives, souls and the lives and souls of their families on this perverted alter. By going after riches and fame according to a warped and fallen world system, rather than according to the promised and proven way of God. To seek God and His kingdom ways of loving one another, and forgiving others as He has forgiven us and to allow the Holy Spirit, that lives in us, to love, edify and to build up others.

Psalm 112:1-3 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house,And his righteousness endures forever. NKJ

In Psalms 112 we are to praise God; that is to celebrate and give glory to God and in that we are blessed. To be bless is to be happy with abundance and with nothing lacking (not only now but for eternity). This is for the person who fears the Lord; that is to be in awe of God, with great respect for God, and to be more concerned about God’s word, as opposed to those people and things around them. 

Fear is a result of the fall of mankind’s disobedience, but God has used it as part of a safety mechanism for us, that is to warn us of danger that we should avoid. God is not narcissistic, He does not want people to quake or be in fear of Him just for the sake of His ego, but it is for their protection and wellbeing. 

Just as in nature we are given the instinct and reflex to flee when we are in fear or in danger, we are to have that same reverence for God and His word.  If we feared God more and gave greater thought and consideration to the outcome, the aftereffect or the consequences of our sinful actions, we would most likely make better choices. Sin can be pleasurable and enticing, that is how the enemy lures us into that trap, but this pleasure is very short lived and just for a while. If we feared and reverence God more, then we would flee those things that are contrary to God’s word out of reverence, admiration, worship and devotion to our God.

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.NKJ

Psalms 112 tells us that we are to delight greatly in His word and His commandment, and that one commandment is for us to love one another as He has loved us. We are to delight in God; that is to have a high degree of enjoyment and pleasure in Him, to desire and be pleased with Him and to favor God above others. It is only when we take our eyes and focus off ourselves and place it on the goodness of God that we can delight in Him. We can be delighted when we think about God’s goodness, His great compassion, forgiveness and His abundant grace, that He has bestowed and given to us. When we think on these thingswe can be extremely delighted, tremendously happy and exceedingly elated about God and all He has done and is doing in our lives and our families and this can truly bring us great joy.

John 15:11-12 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. NKJ 

In Psalms 112, the people who praise and celebrate God for His goodness and mercy and live in awe, reverence and respect for God by choosing to obey His word, they are the ones who have great delight, joy and pleasure in their love and their relationship with God. Their descendants will be mighty on earth, because these people in their generation chose to lived an upright and honest life of integrity so that they and their children will be blessed and be mighty on the earth. 

Isaiah 54:13-14 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,And great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

In Psalms 112 God has promised wealth and riches will be in the house of those that delight greatly in God and teach their children, their righteousness will endure forever. But, to those who hate God and refuses His provision of salvation, which is by the blood of Christ, they will receive the consequences of their own choices and actions. This is why all humanity should stand in awe, respect and in fear of God’s word, because it is a two-edge sword. On one side there are promises of wealth, riches and generational blessings and on the other side there is a promise to destroy those who hate Him and refuse His provision that was provided in Jesus Christ. God will not allow the guilty to go unpunished.

Deuteronomy 7: 9-11 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.

Exodus 34:6-7 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,  keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

When God passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, God proclaimed His Character and who He is. He is the Lord, the Lord God, the merciful God, the gracious God, Thelongsuffering God, the One who abounds and overflows in goodness and truth. God does not punish us to the extent that we deserve because of His mercy.  God is gracious in that He paid our sin debt and provided salvation through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. God is longsuffering in that He waits a long time to give every person every opportunity to receive His goodness and truth by faith in Christ. God extends His mercy to thousands by forgiving their sins, iniquities and transgression to all those who by faith receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 

God will not allow the guilty, those who refuse His provision of salvation, to go unpunished. The propensity, exposure andweakness toward sin is passed down from one generation to the next, until someone takes a stand and makes the decision to come to God through faith in Christ. By this they can change their entire life course and trajectory for themselves and the generations that follows. God gives every person the ability to choose for themselves, their posterity, and their future generations, whether to be the receiver of life or death orblessings or curses.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:  the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 

In Psalms 112 God gives us a roadmap to a successful life for us and our children. It is knowing the love of the one true God and teaching our children His ways. This is so that we and our children and our posterity will be blessed and established in God’s love and righteousness in the earth.

God has told us through His word in Psalms 112 how this is to be done. We areto reverence, respect, fear and obey God’s word and when we delight and get great pleasure in knowing God’s love and showing the love of God to others, we will have great wealth.Our wealth will be more than sufficient for our necessary needs,and these riches, treasures and assets are not just of this world only, but for eternity.

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