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Showing posts with the label Faith

The Humble King: Rejoicing in Zechariah's Prophecy of Our Savior

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As Christians, we stand firm on the unchanging truth of Scripture. Every verse is inspired by the Holy Spirit, pointing us to Christ and His redemptive work. Today, let's dive deep into Zechariah 9:9—a prophecy that explodes with divine promise and finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This isn't just ancient poetry; it's God's blueprint for the Messiah, written centuries before His birth, proving the Bible's supernatural accuracy. Imagine the scene: Israel, weary from captivity and foreign rule, hears this call to explosive joy. No subdued whispers here—Zechariah demands shouts of triumph! Why? Because their King is on the way. But He's not the kind the world expects. No chariot of gold or warhorse charging into battle. Instead, H...

When Faith Falters: David's Time Among the Philistines

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In the hustle and bustle of modern life, where challenges to our faith seem to lurk around every corner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. As fundamentalist Christians, we cling to the literal truth of Scripture as our anchor. Today, I want to dive into a lesser-discussed chapter from the life of David—a man described as being after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). In 1 Samuel 27:1-12 (from the Complete Jewish Bible), we see David in a moment of weakness, fleeing to the land of the Philistines to escape King Sha’ul's relentless pursuit. This isn't the victorious David we're used to; it's a raw, human portrait of doubt, compromise, and deception. But through it all, God's sovereignty shines through, offering us timeless lessons for standing firm in these end times. Let's start by setting the scene. David, anointed by God to be Israel's future king, has been on the run for years. Sha’ul, driven by jealousy and paranoia, won't stop hunting him. Exhausted ...

This is not a message of judgment, but a guide to understanding what has transpired and how to navigate the road ahead.

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This is being published as a guide of sorts for when the rapture of the church has occurred.  Trying to put the information out on what to do if it has. A Message of Hope for a World Left Behind The world has changed. In a moment, without warning, millions of people vanished, leaving behind an unprecedented void of confusion and fear. If you are reading this, you are among those who were left, and the questions swirling in your mind are likely beyond anything you've ever had to consider. What was this event? Why did it happen? And what comes next? What you are witnessing is the unfolding of an ancient prophecy—the beginning of a period known as the Tribulation. While it is a time of great peril, it is also a time of profound grace, where a path to salvation remains open to all who seek it. What Just Happened? The Unfolding of Prophecy The sudden disappearance of countless individuals is the fulfillment of a biblical event known as the "Rapture." It is the moment when all ...

Rediscovering Obedience: The Forgotten Key to Loving God

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 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking. The Misunderstood Side of Grace We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating ...

Can a True Believer Lose Their Salvation? A Biblical Perspective

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“ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) As Christians, one of the most important questions we can ask is whether a true believer can lose their salvation after accepting Christ. This issue has been debated for centuries, and it’s one that every follower of Jesus should understand. The Bible, our ultimate authority, provides clear answers when we interpret it literally and consistently. In this post, we’ll explore what Scripture says about the security of our salvation and why we can have confidence in God’s promises. The Bible’s Clear Teaching: Salvation is Secure For those who have truly accepted Christ, the Bible offers powerful assurances that our salvation is eternally secure. Let’s look at some key passages that affirm this trut...

The Power of Pentecost - A Call to Faith and Transformation

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The Book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 14-41, records a defining moment in Christian history: Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost. This passage reveals the literal fulfillment of God’s promises, the undeniable truth of Jesus’ resurrection, and the birth of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. For those who hold to the authority of Scripture, this account is not just history—it’s a call to faith, repentance, and transformation that echoes into our lives today. The Event of Pentecost On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in a dramatic and miraculous way. They began speaking in tongues, proclaiming God’s wonders in languages they had never learned. A crowd gathered, amazed and perplexed, and some mocked, saying, “ They have had too much wine” (Acts 2:13, NIV). Peter quickly corrected them: “ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ” (Acts 2:15, NIV). He pointed to the prophet Joel, declaring, “ In the last days...

A Humbling Encounter: The Selfless Spirit of a Brother in Christ

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Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a deeply humbling experience I had after church this morning. One of my brothers in Christ—who is in as bad or worse shape than I am most days—stopped and asked me about the requirements to donate a kidney, or at least to explore the possibility. Now, I know that sounds extraordinary, but what you might not realize is that my brother Larry is in his 80s, has been in poor health off and on for the last 6-8 years, and is currently living in a nursing home. Yet, he felt led to ask me about this. The fact that someone going through so much is still ready to offer up even more, if he can, is incredibly humbling to me. I explained to him that the criteria for being a donor are very strict. Over the last three years, I've had at least five people try to sign up to donate for me, and each one has been turned down for various reasons: diabetes, liver conditions, histories of various diseases that disqualify people from the list. Part of me is very glad t...

Trusting God in Times of Scarcity: Lessons from the Widow of Zarephath

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 " The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah ." – 1 Kings 17:16 (ESV) In a world that often feels uncertain and filled with scarcity, the story of the Widow of Zarephath stands as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, provision, and care for His people. Found in 1 Kings 17:8-16, this account is more than just a historical event—it is a timeless lesson on faith, obedience, and the sovereignty of God. For those of us who hold to the literal truth of Scripture, this story speaks directly to our hearts, challenging us to trust God even when circumstances seem impossible. A Test of Faith in Desperate Times During a severe drought in Israel—a judgment from God for the nation’s idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel—the prophet Elijah was sent by God to Zarephath, a town outside Israel. There, at the town gate, he met a widow who was gathering sticks to prepare a final meal for herself ...

Through Christ I Stand

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As many of you know, I’m currently on dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant. This journey requires me to attend dialysis three times a week, alongside a battery of tests that seem to come at me from all directions.  Today was particularly challenging. I traveled to Indianapolis for a specialized evaluation to determine if my bladder, which hasn’t functioned in over two years, can support a new kidney. I’ll spare you the graphic details, but imagine tubes inserted from every angle, fluids being pushed and pulled, and a level of discomfort where 'ouch' feels like a polite understatement. After all was said and done, I left with no clearer answers than when I arrived—the medical team was equally uncertain.  The tests suggest my bladder, long dormant, has shrunk significantly, now holding only a fraction of what it should. Yet, amidst the ordeal, the staff at IU Health were remarkably compassionate. They balanced the necessity of the tests with genuine care for my emotional an...