With God, there is nothing hidden from His sight. He knows who we are, where we have been, what we have done, and everything else about us. It is before the Lord Jesus that we must give an account for our lives (Hebrews 4:13), for He is seated at the right hand of God far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion forever (Ephesians 1:20-21).
No other book in history has been so attacked or attempts made to extinguish it as the Bible, yet like a mighty anvil, it has worn out the many hammers wielded against it by devils and men, despotic rulers and governments, false prophets and religions, natural and manmade cataclysms, and civilizational collapse.
An investor is a person who allocates financial capital with the expectation of a future return or profit. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the story of a man who, before leaving his house for a distant country, entrusts his servants with varying sums of money with which to do business until he returns (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27).
Stowe’s faith in Jesus Christ, her increasing understanding of the evils of slavery from the testimony of escaped slaves, and the compelling arguments of abolitionist apologists strongly influenced her to become a passionate abolitionist and supporter of the Underground Railroad, which helped many fugitives from slavery escape to freedom in Canada.
For those who celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, remember the faithfulness of Valentinus through his acts of love and refusal to renounce Christ unto death, and that true love is more than a feeling that comes and goes. It is not based on transitory things like circumstances, the weather, or personal possessions.
Those who trust in Jesus Christ not only receive forgiveness of all their sins and reconciliation with God, but they are also transferred from a dark domain into His kingdom of light (Colossians 1:9-14). No matter what challenging uncertainties or situations we may face, the Lord’s faithfulness never changes, and He promises never to leave us lost in the dark (Hebrews 13:5-8).
Over centuries of interacting with successive descendants of the Fabrini, the Oracle concluded that the success of the mission would be better served by fostering the belief among the people that it was a god and Yonada was a planet instead of a spaceship. Later generations eventually became unaware of the true nature of their “world” as that knowledge was suppressed through the implanted microchip.
Fulfill the role God has for you in the world. The good that you do in Jesus Christ can, like Handel’s music, be like a stone thrown into a pond, the ripple effect expanding outward and benefiting others even long after your time on earth has ended, and leading to eternal reward (1 Corinthians 3:5-15). Then, with the angels and all creation, we will give praise to God as in the final chorus of Messiah, based on Revelation 5:11-14
No matter your station in life, whether you are rich or poor, high class or low class, regardless of your ethnicity, nationality, or language, no matter your past history, the gift of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life is for you, too, in Christ Jesus.
Britain was able to manipulate the religious, social, and economic divisions and rivalries of the diverse peoples of India to gain first economic dominance over them, then political and judicial control. Over time, many Indians came to understand this and resented their foreign rulers. Their people and the country’s valuable resources were being exploited for the profit of Britain, not the welfare of the people of India.
The Christmas season is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. There is generally a lighter mood in the air, and people tend to be a little nicer and more charitable to each other. It is a time for family and friends to take time off from the routine hustle and bustle of life to come together in love, joy, fellowship, gift-giving, and great food.
But Jesus, the conquering King who defeated the grave, will overturn their empire of destruction. He will douse their fires and give the Living Water (John 4:10, 7:37-39; Revelation 21:5-6) that extinguishes perdition’s flames to all who trust in Him. Jesus will turn their contrived famine into abundance because He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
The government, using artificial intelligence (AI) video generation technology, created footage of the event showing Richards callously disobeying orders not to fire on the rioters. It appeared so real that only someone who witnessed the actual events would know it was false.
During this terrible time, God protected Elijah and provided him with what he needed at the proper time (1 Kings 17). He told him to hide east of the Jordan River by a small brook called Cherith, where he would have water to drink. The Lord also sent ravens in the morning and evening to bring him bread and meat.
God, in His perfect way and time, will bring about end time events leading to the return of Jesus and the establishment of His global rule from Jerusalem without our help. Not waiting on Him and taking things into our own hands to “help” make prophesied events come to pass leads to widespread dire consequences.
In the letter to the church at Pergamum, Jesus commended the Christians there for not denying His name and remaining faithful to Him in spite of suffering severe persecution in this stronghold of satanic power. He called on them to cease tolerating false teachers among them.
Edward Kimball (July 29, 1823 – June 5, 1901) was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, and in 1846 moved to Boston, where he became head of a carpet supplier firm called Kimball, Felt, & Wentworth. While there, he joined the Mount Vernon Congregational Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher.
An invasion force may be coming into the United States, and like Hamas and the infiltrators in Red Dawn, one day without warning, many of the military-aged men who have entered and been scattered throughout the country may receive their own activation signal to attack and cause chaos, making us vulnerable to sudden destruction from hostile nations.
The organized system of transporting and delivering postcards, letters, and packages has been a cornerstone of civilization going back to ancient times. It is generally one of the few government services people appreciate and on which they greatly depend. It is sorely missed when delays in service take place due to inclement weather or natural or man-made disasters, and people usually welcome the return to a feeling of normalcy when service is resumed.
However, if any nation turns from its wicked ways, God will refrain from judging it (Jeremiah 18:7-8), as in the case of the Assyrians of Nineveh, who, at the preaching of the prophet Jonah, repented of their wickedness, sought the mercy of God, and avoided the calamity that the Lord was going to bring on them.
Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted." Like the pilot of the ill-fated KAL Flight 007 who, to save face, disregarded his true position and the need to turn around, we can be ensnared and taken off course by the desire for social acceptance that dissuades us from believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, leading to a permanent, terrible destination.
Some promoted climate scientists, political figures, billionaires, and elite global organizations used computer climate models to make predictions about the direction of the world’s climate. They used mass media outlets around the world to raise the alarm that the use of oil and gas, carbon dioxide, and methane needed to be drastically reduced or eliminated to save the earth from destruction.
We do not need a “new Bible” written by AI and the counterfeit spirituality that it offers. The actual Bible is composed of 66 books by 40 different writers over approximately 1,500 years. One consistent theme, God’s plan to rescue human beings from the devastating results of Adam’s fall through His Son Jesus Christ, runs all the way through these books.
Joshua, whom God used to victoriously lead Israel into their inheritance in the Promised Land, was careful all his days to encourage Israel to be faithful to God. As long as the people of Israel were obedient to God they experienced victory on the battlefield, freedom, prosperity, and protection from their enemies.
The first book published in this series, and likely the best known, was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950). It tells the story of four English sibling children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie, who are magically transported to Narnia via a wardrobe in a large country house where they were staying during the Blitz of 1940.
As we are increasingly pressured by institutions of society to bow and worship the LGBTQ+ religion, it will be tempting to compromise our faith in God and His word and go along with this satanic agenda. It is becoming a common occurrence that those who express any kind of disagreement or opposition to this religion face various kinds of sanctions, including violence.
Rivaling the European feudal lords of the Middle Ages, Panem’s rulers used their armies of “peacekeepers” to maintain tight control over the people of the districts. Severe restrictions, mass surveillance, public executions and whippings were a common way of life. Communication between districts was forbidden, and no one was allowed to leave the boundaries of their district unless granted permission.
"We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:29-32)
Many of us may have previously in life held to false religious or philosophical worldviews that over time developed into acceptance of, or participation in, some very evil things. But thanks be to God for the grace and forgiveness that is found in Jesus Christ. Just how big is God's forgiveness? It is big enough to forgive the worst of sins and the worst of sinners.
More than 23 million viewers in the United States, and millions more worldwide, watched as Wallenda did his nearly 23-minute skywalk without a harness, net, or safety tether while facing sudden wind gusts of up to 20 mph. Throughout the walk, he could be heard praising and thanking God.
CBDCs represent an unprecedented level of surveillance and control over the financial holdings and transactions of all people. Tied to a social credit score similar to what is done in communist China, the ability to conduct financial transactions privately would be eliminated.
The great reset has been thoroughly defeated by the Greatest Reset of Jesus rising from the dead. Because He is risen, the redemption of our bodies from mortality to immortality is certain, and along with creation we will experience the culmination of our longing to be with Jesus, our Redeemer, forever.
They would see the new country that Abraham and all throughout history who trusted in the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 11:8-16) desired, and the new city with twelve foundation stones named after the twelve apostles, and twelve gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel. It would be a place where the riches of God’s grace, beauty, and goodness are fully manifest.
Many of the things we take for granted and use throughout the day depend on consistent electrical power. Losing it even for a little while may seem to some like temporarily losing the use of an arm or a leg. It can be a very humbling situation not to be able to do the usual tasks of the day or to have to engage in workarounds to do basic things.
Zechariah prophesied to the people of Judah around 520 BC, soon after they had returned from their 70-year exile in Babylon. About 14 years earlier, Cyrus the Great had conquered Babylon and its territory was merged into his empire. A year later he issued a decree permitting the people of Judah to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple.
Those who rest in Jesus’ forgiveness, trusting solely in Him, can and should let the past go. Forsake and forget the chains that formerly held you captive. Live life under the full brightness of the Son, because He has entered your timeline and redeemed it so that you can experience newness of life (Romans 6:3-4, 8:1) and the amazing things He has in store for you (Ephesians 2:8-10).
As global elitists seek to hem in and enslave us through contrived dependence and pervasive surveillance technology, we may like believers of the past need to develop our own secret codes, signs, and connections to help one another and build community as the early Christians did in Acts 2 and elsewhere in history.
Sir Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. Dubbed the “Master of Suspense,” he directed more than 50 films that showcased his talent as a visual storyteller who skillfully incorporated unexpected circumstances, many which are still watched and studied today.
None of us can guarantee our next breath, never mind whether we will make it to the end of the day. We should keep in mind the frailties of life and how they can change suddenly without warning and consider what we do in the light of eternity. Where you spend eternity is answered by whether you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16) or not.
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
When we were condemned to destruction, God showed us mercy on account of Someone else. Because of God’s love for us through His one and only Son Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to Him. We are taken from the garbage dump and seated at the King’s table (Matthew 8:5-13).
Behold! Not that far away in the distance is the city illuminated by the Lion of Judah, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world for our sins, the KING of kings and the LORD of lords. It is getting brighter as it draws nearer. King Jesus, who has never abandoned us, and never will, is coming!
One of my favorite stories at Christmas time is A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, written in 1843, which has been re-interpreted in many movies since then. It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Crimson reminds us of how deep and dark our sins are and how they separate us from the true life of God, but they also point us to the crimson blood of Jesus that cleanses them and reconciles us to God.
The story is told from the perspective of Winston Smith, a diligent mid-level worker at the Ministry of Truth whose job is to revise news and historical accounts to make them conform to the Party's propaganda of the day. Eventually he secretly comes to hate his job, the Party, and Big Brother, and dreams of thinking and living as a free man.
In 605 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and captured it. Among the captives he took with him back to Babylon was Daniel, part of the nobility of the Kingdom of Judah. Daniel was a young man when he was taken captive to Babylon.
What we see now will not and cannot last. The suffering, pain, disappointments, and tragedies we face are all temporary. Keep the bigger picture in mind. The Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is forever. Let us invite as many as we can into that eternal reality, where it will be good and stay good.
The motley fleet of “just people” utterly defeated Palpatine’s armada, which led to a general revolt against his rule across the galaxy that resulted in the restoration of freedom.
Because Satan and all who serve him face a sure and permanent defeat, we should not be dismayed into inaction or lulled into complacency by his temporary power. We are gifted and empowered by God with talents to be salt and light wherever He has placed us (Matthew 25:14-30).
A little more than 20 years ago we moved to a new area and started attending a church that my wife and I had scouted out beforehand and deemed to be a good place to worship the Lord, hear sound Biblical preaching, and enjoy Christian fellowship.
Knowing that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ gives us the divinely granted courage to leave false religion with all its worldly advantages for the gospel, suffer persecution with patience and hope, and even face death with calm assurance.
One of my favorite things to do during the weekend is to sit on the deck of our home and enjoy the night sky. Despite living in a suburban area, a cloudless night reveals a multitude of stars that can be seen with the naked eye. It always amazes me that many of the very same stars that I view from my deck were seen by people thousands of years ago.
Several years ago, my wife and I were flying home from a vacation in Florida. Because advanced seat assignments were not available, we could not sit together. She ended up in a seat near the back of the plane, while I was able to get an aisle seat next to a middle-aged wife and her husband close to the middle of the plane.
Many of us, whether we live in the United States or one of many other countries around the world, have heard of the board game called Monopoly or have enjoyed playing it with family and friends. This is a game I have played and enjoyed since my years in college.
Flash cards are cards containing information on both sides that are intended to be used as aids in memorization. The Lord Jesus, Creator of all things, made the numbers we all use. Like flash cards, they can act as illustrations of God’s grace -- His love for humanity and the redemption He provides for all who trust in Him.
Though the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested, supposed latter-day “prophets” act as infallible interpreters of Scripture. It is like a table determining the length of the measuring tape instead of the other way around.
V for Vendetta, a dystopian political action film that debuted in 2005, portrays an England of the near future ruled by a fascist and authoritarian regime which maintains control over the people through constant propaganda, and imprisonment or execution of dissidents.
During the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games, it is customary for the athletes of the many participating nations to march into the stadium under their own nations’ flags. This is in preparation for the national teams to compete against each other to gain glory for their respective countries.
The apostle John wrote this so that we may know in our hearts and minds that eternal life is ours now since we have accepted Jesus Christ by faith. Such an assurance supplies the basis for joyful prayer and fellowship with one another and provides us with the knowledge that God loves us -- a knowledge that tells us we do not have to work so that God can save us.
Just as Jesus came into the world at the right place at the right time to save sinners doomed to eternal separation from God, so He has placed us here at the right place at the right time to work out all our circumstances for our good, for our salvation, for the blessing of others with whom we travel on the road of life, and for His glory.
This world with its oppression, war, disease, brutality, genocide, and death is not all there is, even though it may seem like it sometimes (2 Peter 3:9-12). But there is something much better and everlasting coming.
When President Donald Trump nominated federal judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States on September 26, 2020, to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, many Christians and pro-life conservatives expressed hope that the new prospective Justice would be like a modern-day Esther...
Do not give way to even intense pressure or throw in the towel. Bend not the knee to Baal or Molech, or receive thirty pieces of silver, or drop the pinch of incense to Caesar. Do not cast aside the approval of God for the approval of men (John 9:42-43).
During his rise to fame, Cassius Clay became involved with a religious sect called the Nation of Islam, a separatist group of Black American Muslims whose beliefs ran far-afield of orthodox Islam. The adherents of this religious group told him that his ancestors were Muslims and that he would do them honor by abandoning the slave name handed down to him and adopting an Islamic one.
Cicero came from a wealthy family in the town of Arpinum, located in central Italy. His extensive philosophical and political writings provide ample insight into his life and times, which included political corruption and instability in Rome, the end of the republic, civil war, and the establishment of dictatorship.
We may not know what challenges we will face tomorrow, or the details of how end times events will unfold, but we know based on His infallible word that Jesus is coming back for His children. Whether He takes us home through death or catches us up when He returns, Jesus will always be with us through our journey on earth.
