This psalm is an appeal to the people of all the earth to come to genuine God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son). For He is God, our creator God who made us. And God the Father sent him to the earth to die for us on a cross so that we might die with him to sin and live to him and to his righteousness. By faith in Jesus Christ we therefore are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, not as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness.

But this is not just about singing and making a joyful noise, for we are to serve the Lord with gladness. And in order to serve the Lord we must first of all believe in Jesus Christ in truth and in righteousness. We must die with him to sin so that we can be raised with him to walk in newness of life in him. We must deny self, die daily to sin, and walk in obedience to his commands if we are to be of the faith which saves us from our bondage to sin and which empowers us to live godly and holy lives pleasing to God.

Now God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – is our creator God. So in that sense he owns us and he can do with us as he chooses. But only those who listen to (heed, regard, follow) our Lord Jesus, and who walk with him in obedience to his commands, are his true sheep (followers). And they only are the ones who are promised eternal life with God, that they will never perish, and that no one can snatch them out of the hands of God. For if we do not obey God, but we continue in sin, we will not have life in Him.

Now if we are to enter the gates of the Lord, we can only do that via dying with Christ to sin and by his grace now walk in fellowship with him in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living. Verbal professions of faith in Jesus Christ alone do not bring us into genuine relationship with our Lord. And they do not assure us of forgiveness of all sins and the hope of heaven when we die. For we can’t really know God if we do not obey him, and we can’t be in fellowship with him if we are still deliberately walking in sin.

So, if we truly want to enter into the gates of our Lord, it is not just with singing and verbally praising the Lord and verbally speaking or singing words of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. For there are many who give lip service to the Lord whose hearts are far from him. Their worship of God is in formality only, as taught by other humans, but there is no substance behind what is verbally coming from their lips. And so they will die in their sins. They will not enter into God’s heavenly gates at the end of it all.

For the Lord is good, and he is completely faithful to all that he said that he would do. And so we cannot just verbalize worship and praise of God with our lips only and think that assures us forgiveness of all sins and heaven as our eternal destiny. Many who profess the name of Jesus are still walking in sin, still doing what their evil hearts desire, hiding what they do in secret, thinking that no one knows. But God knows. And he said if we walk in sin and do not obey him that we will not inherit eternal life with God.

And that is a very sad reality, and one that grieves me regularly. So many people giving lip service to the Lord, singing their praise and worship songs, convinced that all their sins are forgiven, and that heaven is their eternal destiny, but who are dying and going to hell because they would not surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. They would not deny self, die daily to sin, and walk in obedience to God’s commands. But they continued in their deliberate and habitual sin and would not submit to Christ as Lord.

So, don’t take God’s grace for granted. Don’t assume that just because you made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and/or that you got baptized, and/or that you attend weekly “church” gatherings where you lift your hands and verbally sing songs of worship and praise of God, that God is now pleased with you and that heaven is guaranteed you. For Jesus said that not everyone who says to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING the will of God the Father who is in heaven.

[Is 29:13-16; Is 53:1-12; Matt 7:21-23; Matt 26:26-29; Lu 9:23-26; Lu 17:25; Jn 1:1-36; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 8:24,58; Jn 10:27-33; Jn 20:28-29; Rom 5:8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 9:5; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 11:23-32; 1 Co 15:1-8; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Eph 4:17-24; Php 2:5-11; Col 2:9; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 1:8-9; Heb 2:14-15; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:24; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

Songwriters: L. David Lewis / Kim Williams / Edward Monroe Hill

There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone

Here they talked of revolution
Here it was they lit the flame
Here they sang about tomorrow
And tomorrow never came

From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
And I can hear them now!

The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On this lonely barricade
At dawn

Phantom faces at the window
Phantom shadows on the floor
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more

Oh my friends, my friends
Don't ask me what your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more

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Empty Voices Singing Empty Praise
An Original Work / December 16, 2024
Reposted December 16, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, As we enter this Christmas season, quiet our hearts and draw us near to the wonder of Your Son’s birth. Open our eyes to see Jesus in the Scriptures, our ears to hear Your gentle leading, and our spirits to receive the peace You freely give. Let this devotional lead us closer to Emmanuel - God with us - as the Holy Spirit illuminates Your Word and fills us with fresh awe at the gift of Christ. Prepare our hearts to worship, listen, and respond with thanksgiving and reverence. In Jesus’ wonderful Name, Amen.

Introduction

Christmas is more than a familiar story - it is the unfolding of God’s love, promise, and redemption. Each moment, from the angel’s whisper to Mary to Simeon’s joyful blessing in the temple, reveals the heart of a God who draws near to His people. These passages invite us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the faithfulness of the One who stepped into our world with humility and glory.

This devotional follows the journey of Christ’s birth through Scripture, not simply to retell the events, but to uncover the meaning woven into each moment. As you read, may the Holy Spirit bring comfort, clarity, and renewed wonder. May this season remind you that God still speaks, still leads, and still fulfills His promises in the lives of those who seek Him.

Annunciation to Mary

The angel’s announcement to Mary reveals the tenderness of God’s choosing. He steps into the quiet life of a young woman in Nazareth and entrusts her with the greatest miracle the world has ever known. This moment shows that God does not look for status, position, or earthly strength - He looks for a willing heart. Mary’s “Let it be to me according to your word” becomes the model of humble surrender for every believer.

Luke 1:38 (NKJV) “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”

This passage also reminds us that God often begins His greatest works in hidden places. Before the manger, before the shepherds, before the star - there was a private encounter between heaven and a young woman. Christmas begins with God drawing near to the ordinary, the overlooked, and the faithful. It is a reminder that He still speaks into quiet lives today. (See: Luke 1 (NKJV))

Joseph’s Dream

Joseph’s encounter with the angel reveals the righteousness of a man who chooses obedience over reputation. Faced with confusion and what looked like betrayal, Joseph planned to act with mercy. But when God spoke, he surrendered his understanding and embraced God’s plan. His obedience protected Mary, preserved the lineage of David, and fulfilled prophecy.

Matthew 1:24 (NKJV) “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”

This moment teaches us that God often asks us to trust Him when the path makes no sense. Joseph’s “yes” was quiet, steady, and costly - yet it positioned him to be part of God’s redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that obedience, even when unseen, carries eternal significance. (See: Matthew 1 (NKJV))

Isaiah’s Prophecy

Isaiah’s prophecy declares the identity of the coming Messiah long before His birth. “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” is not poetic language - it is a revelation of who Jesus truly is. Christmas is not merely the birth of a child; it is the arrival of God Himself in human flesh.

This prophecy also anchors our hope. The Child born in Bethlehem is the One who carries government, authority, and peace upon His shoulders. In a world filled with uncertainty, Isaiah 9:6 reminds us that Christ’s kingdom is unshakable, His peace is enduring, and His reign is eternal.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus reveals the humility of God’s heart. The King of Glory entered the world not in a palace but in a manger, wrapped in simple cloths and laid among animals. This was not an accident - it was a declaration that God draws near to the lowly, the poor, and the overlooked. Christmas is the story of a Savior who came down to lift us up.

Luke 2:7 (NKJV) “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

This moment also shows that God’s greatest gifts often arrive quietly. No crowds, no trumpets, no earthly celebration - just the steady faithfulness of God fulfilling His promise. The manger reminds us that God’s presence transforms even the simplest places into holy ground.

(See: Luke 2 (NKJV))

Shepherds Visit

The shepherds were the first to hear the good news, showing that God delights in revealing Himself to the humble. They were ordinary men doing ordinary work, yet heaven opened above them. The angelic announcement reminds us that the gospel is for all people - not just the powerful or the learned, but the everyday person who is willing to listen.

Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV) “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

Their response is equally important. They didn’t delay, question, or analyze - they went “with haste” to see the Savior. Their simple obedience turned them into the first evangelists of the New Testament. Christmas invites us to respond with the same eagerness and joy.

Magi Visit

The Magi represent the nations being drawn to Christ. Guided by a star, they traveled far to worship the newborn King. Their gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - reveal Jesus’ identity as King, God, and Sacrifice. Their journey shows that true worship requires seeking, honoring, and offering our best to Him.

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their visit also reveals that God’s salvation is not limited to Israel alone. From the very beginning, Jesus is recognized by Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise that all nations would be blessed through Him. Christmas is a global invitation to worship the One who came for all. (See: Matthew 2 (NKJV))

Flight into Egypt

The flight into Egypt shows God’s protective hand over His Son. Joseph obeyed immediately when warned in a dream, and that obedience preserved the life of the Messiah. Even in the earliest days of Jesus’ life, we see spiritual opposition rising - yet God’s plan cannot be stopped. His guidance is always timely, precise, and purposeful.

Matthew 2:13–15 (NKJV) “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”

This moment also fulfills prophecy, showing that nothing in Jesus’ life was accidental. God weaves every detail into His redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that God protects His purposes and leads His people even in seasons of sudden change or uncertainty.

Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents

This tragic event reveals the darkness into which Christ was born. Herod’s cruelty shows the brokenness of a world desperate for a Savior. Yet even in sorrow, God’s sovereignty remains. The cries of the mothers in Bethlehem echo the world’s longing for justice, healing, and redemption — all of which are found in Christ.

This passage also reminds us that Jesus came not into a peaceful world, but into a world filled with suffering. Christmas is not sentimental; it is salvation. Christ entered our pain to bring hope, light, and deliverance.

Matthew 2:16–18 (NKJV) “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.’”

Return to Nazareth

The return to Nazareth shows God’s quiet guidance in the ordinary. After the danger had passed, Joseph brought his family back to a humble town where Jesus would grow in wisdom and stature. Nazareth was not prestigious, yet it became the place where the Savior lived, learned, and prepared for His ministry.

Matthew 2:19–23 (NKJV) “Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.’ Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’”

This moment teaches us that God often works in the hidden years. Before miracles, teachings, and the cross, there were decades of simple life. Christmas reminds us that God is present not only in dramatic moments but in the steady lifestyles of everyday faithfulness.

Simeon’s Blessing

Simeon represents the faithful who wait with hope. Led by the Spirit, he recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah the moment he saw Him. His words declare that Christ is salvation for all people - a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. Simeon’s joy shows that God always keeps His promises, even if the waiting is long.

Luke 2:25–32 (NKJV) “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before

he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.’”

His blessing also reveals the purpose of Christ’s coming: salvation, revelation, and redemption. Simeon saw in the infant Jesus what many would later miss - the fulfillment of God’s covenant love. Christmas invites us to see Christ with the same clarity and thanksgiving.

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the gift of Your coming - for the hope You bring, the peace You give, and the salvation You offer to all. As we reflect on these Scriptures, seal their truth in our hearts. Help us to walk in the same humility, obedience, and faith that marked the lives of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and all who recognized Your glory.

Let the light of Your presence guide us into the days ahead. Strengthen our faith, deepen our thanksgiving, and fill us with the joy of knowing that You are Emmanuel - God with us, now and always. Amen.

Questions to Ponder

1. Where in my life is God inviting me to respond with the same trust and surrender that Mary and Joseph showed?

1. How does the humility of Christ’s birth reshape the way I see God, myself, and others?

1. Which part of the Christmas story speaks most deeply to me this year, and why might the Holy Spirit be drawing my attention to it?

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To the Holy Spirit: Thank You for guiding every word, guarding every step, and glorifying Jesus. All glory, honor, praise, and worship belong to God Almighty, who alone is worthy.

Scripture Acknowledgement: All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Special thanks to Bible Gateway for providing accessible, searchable Scripture resources that support devotional writing and spiritual study.

May these words echo grace, healing, and truth wherever they are read.

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“Tis the season to be jolly.” Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men. These are sayings associated with Christmas, the day that Jesus the Christ was born; or was it? Certainly this could be a description of Christmas. Celebrations such as these were taking place among non-Christians centuries before Jesus Christ was born! Such customs do not come from the Bible. They have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not originate them, nor were they observed by the prophets (Old Testament) or the apostles (New Testament). We're going to examine Christmas, its origin and customs, and see if in fact Christmas is of God or Pagan. Should it be Celebrated or Rejected?

Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men. Why, because we feed and shelter the less fortunate on this one day called Christmas? Shouldn't we care for the less fortunate all year long? Retailers increase the prices on merchandise, to try to recover from poor sales from the 1st three-quarters of the fiscal year.

Christmas (December 25th) is taught to be the day that Jesus the Christ was born. The fact is Jesus was not even born in the winter season. When Jesus was born, "there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8). This could never have occurred in Judea in the month of December. The shepherds always brought their flocks from the mountainsides and fields and corralled them no later than October, to protect them from the cold, rainy season that followed. Notice in Songs of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9, 13, that winter was a rainy season and typically the herds would most likely not be out in the rainy winter season. "It was an ancient custom among Jews of those days to send out their sheep to the fields and deserts about the Passover (early spring), and bring them home at commencement of the first rain," says the Adam Clarke Commentary (Vol. 5, page 370, New York ed.) Continuing, "During the time they were out, the shepherds watched them night and day. As..the first rain began early in the month of Marchesvan, which answers to part of our October and November (begins sometime in October), we find that the sheep were kept out in the open country during the whole summer. And, as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, Jesus was not born on December 25th, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could He have been born later than September, as the flocks were in the fields by night.

Therefore, to celebrate Jesus' birth date on December 25th is not scripturally sound. Any encyclopedia will tell you that Christ was not born on December 25th. The exact date of Jesus' birth is entirely unknown, as all authorities acknowledge - though by reading the scriptures, it strongly indicates His birth was in the early fall, probably September, approximately six months after Passover. This can also be found in the Catholic Encyclopedia 1967.

Some may say, "It does not matter when He was born. I am just celebrating His birth."; whereas others may say "Jesus is the reason for the season." Is that really the case? If Jesus is the reason for the season, then why didn't He let us know when to celebrate his birth? We claim we love Jesus so much but why don't we observe his death as he commanded us. Luke 22:19, "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

Pray The Holy Spirit spreads Jesus Christ's Gospel as the primary cure in battling mental health illness especially in light of the killing of Hollywood director Rob Reiner & his wife by their mentally I'll son:

I've been Catholic for some years now, but when I first became Christian, I was Presbyterian. I enjoyed the particular church I attended, not because it was "Presbyterian" per se, but because of the quality of the people. In particular the pastor and his family were outstanding. I often mention the pastor in my posts on the forum in one way or another.

Unfortunately the Presbyterian Church of Queensland is under a lot of financial stress due to a court ruling as a result of what seemed to be unwise financial decisions by it's aged care business, Prescare. They're facing a $32 million dollar payout to clear the debt as a result, and some church property may have to be sold.


I don't wish them any ill will. There is one Presbyterian pastor I've got no time for, but other than that I hope they can pull through without losing too many parish churches.

Jackie Shroyer, the 44-year-old wife of late Minnesota missionary Beau Shroyer, who is alleged to have been the mastermind behind a murder-for-hire plot that led to his death in Lubango, Angola, in October 2024, has been convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Troy M. Easton, lead pastor of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where Shroyer and her late husband were members before moving to Lubango to do missionary work under the auspices of longtime global missionary organization SIM USA, confirmed the conviction in a statement to his congregation on Nov. 5.

“It saddens me deeply to share the following update regarding the legal proceedings involving Jackie Shroyer. This morning, I was notified that Jackie was convicted by an Angolan court of involvement in the murder of her husband, Beau Shroyer, on October 25, 2024. Jackie is expected to serve her sentence in an Angolan detention facility,” Easton said.

Continued below.

In candid interviews with Vanity Fair, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles opened up about President Donald Trump and his Cabinet over the first year of Trump's second term.

Trump ... has an "alcoholic's personality." Wiles said Trump, who has repeatedly said he doesn't drink alcohol, said he "operates [with] a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing."

She called Vice President JD Vance a "conspiracy theorist for a decade" and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought "a right-wing absolute zealot." Billionaire Elon Musk, she said, was an "odd duck" and "avowed ketamine [user]."

Wiles, responding to Vanity Fair’s articles, said it is a "disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history."

[Vance:] "I haven't looked at the article. I, of course, have heard about it. But conspiracy theorist, sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true"

Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff On Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2)​

---

Throughout the first year of Donald Trump’s second administration, Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple has interviewed Wiles amid each moment of crisis. This insider’s account joins a portfolio of portraits for an unflinching, up-close look at power—and peril.

Trump says his administration is “formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is. No bomb does what this is doing.”

It was not immediately clear how the new designation would affect administration policy or what the legal implications would be for those impacted by fentanyl use or drug traffickers.

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I am expecting the raids of US hospitals that treat patients with fentanyl to commence shortly.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Turning Point USA Senior Director Josh Thifault revealed the initiative during a news conference at the Governor’s Mansion [last] Monday. They did not outline any plans that would require schools to initiate the clubs, but Abbott said that he expects “meaningful disciplinary action” to take place against “any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas.”

Kirk’s organization has traditionally operated on college campuses, promoting itself as a hub for young people committed to conservative values. The group is also known for having created a so-called professor watchlist, which allows users to search for educators perceived as supporting and promoting liberal viewpoints in the classroom. Turning Point’s work has at times caused tension, particularly among students and faculty members who have reported being harassed because of the negative spotlight placed on them by the organization.

The group’s “Club America” chapters, meanwhile, operate in high schools. The clubs aim to “build strong networks, spearhead impactful initiatives, help students register to vote, and inspire meaningful conversations about the foundations of a free society,” according to their website.

Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also announced partnerships with Turning Point to expand the organization’s presence. Those partnerships rely on interested students to initiate the clubs, while Turning Point provides them with organizational support.

Abbott on Monday sought to distance Turning Point from any particular political party, comparing it to organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes currently present in many public schools.

The governor acknowledged that it is highly unlikely he would endorse a similar initiative for more progressive, left-leaning causes, but added that “it would not be illegal” for them to exist in public schools.

[At least he's open about his plans for biased political indoctrination.]

James Woods has slammed Donald Trump over his 'distasteful' comments about Rob Reiner despite being one of Hollywood's most outspoken supporters of the President.

The 78-year-old praised Reiner - a staunch liberal - for saving his career and being a 'Godsend in my life' during his Monday night appearance on Fox News's Jesse Watters Primetime.

The actor also hit out at Reiner's critics, claiming that although their politics did not align, the murdered filmmaker does not deserve to be spoken poorly of.

'I judge people by how they treat me, and Rob Reiner was a Godsend in my life. We got along great, we loved each other… He was always on my side,' Woods said.

'When people would say to me, "What do you think of his politics?" I would say, "I think Rob Reiner is a great patriot." Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted, to celebrate the America that we both love? No.

'He doesn't agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism. We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love.'

Woods further argued that saying 'horrible things' about Reiner is 'infuriating and distasteful,' adding: 'Because you disagree with people doesn't mean that you have to hate people.'

Continued below.

Author and apologist Dr. Sean McDowellhas researched and discussed many aspects of the Christian life—including heaven. McDowell recently answered one of the toughest topics and questions with an approachable truth.

“Would you say that [people in heaven] can’t sin?” asked an audience member at a recent event.

Sean McDowell Says in Heaven, We’ll ‘See Sin for Exactly What It Is’​

As an apologetics professor at Biola University, Sean McDowell speaks at schools, conferences, and universities. After taking a question from the audience from a recent event, McDowell jumped into a conversation about heaven.

Continued below.

That was a good service!

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We see the current deadly mass shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia. What motivated such hatred, how could they kill so many innocent people? What we see, is basically a attack much like the Pogroms of old, to wipe out the Jews.

Antisemitism in the form of persecution and Pogroms were happening way before the Holocaust, and everyone knows what happened in 1492 in Spain, but something else happened that year. In 1492, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castille issue the Alhambra Decree, mandating that all Jews be expelled from the country. History records what happened, "Spanish Jews were forced to renounce their faith or leave their thousand-year homeland behind. Meanwhile, the Spanish economy crumbled as hundreds of thousands prepared for departure, liquidating their assets and scrambling to arrange their affairs."

This had started even earlier back a century before, in 1391, when a wave of anti-Jewish riots swept through Spain, where thousands were killed. Others were forced to accept Christianity, so you can see the problem with the sincerity of these "conversions", so many of these "converts" now became persecuted by the Inquisition. And everyone knows the Roman persecution of the Jews leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and millions being killed or were exiled or fled for their lives.

So why was there such hatred of the Jews, it cant be explained by the accusation that the Jews were Christ-killers., as anti-Jewish riots swept through Roman Empire as Christians were dying in the Coliseum and spread even in non-Christian areas. So what made them different than the people in the other nations and areas, well the day of worship certainly made them stand out and distinct to say the least.

I think of children who are born without a brain, or at least most of it. Most die from it, I know, but some survive. But when they didn't have, let's say, the visual center at the back of their heads, they still saw. I know that the muscle attachment to the eyes is independent of a brain, and is controlled by the cerebral cortex, so the soul is probably in the cerebral cortex anyway, but they should really be blind when they don't have the "visual" center at the back of their heads:






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Mary had been visited by an angel of God and told that she was going to give birth to the Son of God and that she was to name him “Jesus.” But Mary was a virgin and had not been with a man, so she wondered how this would happen. And the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, i.e. that the baby would be conceived of the Holy Spirit and not of man. Therefore, when Jesus was born and he lived on the earth, he did not have a sin nature as we did, and he was fully human and fully God (God incarnate).

Sometime after Mary’s encounter with the angel, she went to the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped for joy. And that baby ended up being John the Baptist who God used to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Elizabeth called Mary blessed because she believed that there would be a fulfillment of what the Lord had said to her through the angel. For Mary considered herself the bondslave of the Lord, and so she submitted to God’s will for her life.


Mary gave all the glory and praise and credit to God and to God alone for what the Lord was doing in her life. She recognized that, even though all generations from that time forward would most certainly count her blessed of God, it was because of the great things that God did for her. So she did not raise herself up above all others. She did not desire to be worshiped. She was humble of heart and mind that God would choose her to give birth to the Son of God. So her soul exalted the Lord, and not herself.

And all of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives should have the same frame of mind and heart as Mary did in recognizing that God is our source for all the good that he does in and through our lives, and that we should give him all the glory and not take glory for ourselves. If he calls us by his grace to a particular area of ministry or service to him, we should be sure to give him all the glory and praise, and to give him all the credit for what he is doing in and through our lives.

But then Mary went on to talk about God’s mercy upon generation after generation toward those who fear him, as Mary feared God. And to fear God is to be in awe of him and to show him respect, honor, reverence, worship, devotion, and obedience to his commands. It is to take God’s words to heart, to believe them, and to honor them. And we do this when we submit to his Lordship over our lives, and we willingly deny self, die to sin daily, and walk in obedience to his commands, all in the power of God and by his grace.

But those who do not fear the Lord, because they are proud in the thoughts of their heart, he will scatter (dismiss, terminate). For Jesus Christ, in his death on that cross, put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we will now die to sin and live to obey our Lord and his commands. So, all who refuse to bow the knee to him, to humble themselves, and to submit to his will, and who choose their own sinful path, instead, even if they profess faith in the name of Jesus, they will not inherit eternal life with God.

For we learn in 1 John 1-3 that if we claim that we have fellowship with God, but yet we walk in darkness (sin), we are liars. If we claim that we know God, but we do not obey his commandments, in practice, we are liars. For it is not the one who claims he is “in Christ” who is “in Christ,” but it is the one who has denied self, died with Christ to sin, and who is now walking in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in practice, and no longer in sin. We have the hope and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

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My Soul Exalts The Lord
An Original Work / December 16, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Authorities said one of the women suffered a knife injury, although women managed to barricade themselves in another room, the report states. The woman who was uninjured retrieved a firearm and opened fire on the intruder, fatally striking him. - Woman fatally shoots man she had protective order against after break-in: cops

Here is my list of NT texts outside the protestant canon that are inspired. I believe the internal dates, and claims of authorship of all these texts.

The follow internally date to before 70 AD:

Gospel of Nicodemus
History of Joseph the Carpenter
Protoevangelium of James
Didascalia Apostolorum Teaching of the Apostles.
Acts of Barnabas (not epistle of Barnabas or Gospel of Barnabas)
3 Corinthians (letter only)
Didache
Apocalypse of Peter
Revelation of the Magi.
2 Clement

The following have no internal date but I believe they were written pre 70 AD, and are therefore inspired:
Pseudo gospel of Matthew (Jerome said written by Mathew the apostle).
Acts of Peter, and Paul (different than apocryphal acts of the apostles). I believe was written 65/66 AD.

Possible
Infancy gospel of Thomas. Some manuscripts say written by Thomas the Israelite which I assume to be Thomas the apostle.
Gospel of Barthelemew : uses gamatria references wisdom of Solomon which internally is written by Solomon, and also uses gematria. If one is real I assume the other one is too I am just skeptical of gematria. I like both.

All are on audiobook on YouTube.


Daniel 9 gave a series of events to happen, and ended with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and one thing that was going to happen by then was vision, and prophecy would be sealed up aka inspired scripture would stop then so that is why NT texts with internal dates before 70 AD are essentially claiming to be inspired, and some have prophecies of 70 AD associated phenomena in which case they are automatically claiming to be inspired. I'd recommend listening to all of the above on audiobook or they are all on websites as text or annas archive is the free e book website. These texts are incorrectly labelled as pseudepigrapha, and a lot are in the multi volume books called NT apocrypha which contains a lot of books I do not believe were written pre 70 AD.

For OT ones the most important ones are 1 Enoch, Assumption of Moses, Life of Adam, and Eve, and there are a lot more.

We all have a past, don’t we? For all of us were born into sin, with sin natures, in the image of Adam, the first man God created, and the first man to sin against God. All of us have sinned and have fallen short of the glory (favor and approval) of God. So, in our flesh, not one of us is approved by God, for not one of us can do anything in ourselves to earn or to deserve our own salvation. In fact, even the faith to believe in Jesus is gifted to us by God, and it is persuaded of God, and it is empowered by God’s Spirit.

So Jesus Christ didn’t give his life up for us on that cross because of our greatness, or because we were so deserving of his love and grace, for we were not, not any of us! Even while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly. But… when he died, he put our sins to death with him so that, by God-ordained faith in him, we will now die to sin and live for God in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living, guided by the Holy Spirit now living within us, and in surrender to God’s perfect will he has for our lives.

And this is not optional. It is not a mere suggestion. We cannot just profess faith in Jesus Christ with our lips and then continue to chart our own course, and to go our own way without regard for God’s will and purpose for our lives in sending Jesus Christ to that cross to die for the sins of the world. And this doesn’t mean that if we believe in Jesus that we will be perfect from then on. For we are still clay in the hands of the Potter (God), hopefully being made by God to be like Jesus, as we cooperate with God’s grace.

However, if our faith in Jesus Christ is from God, and not from human flesh, and so we have been crucified with Christ in death to sin, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, we should no longer be living as slaves to sin, but as servants of righteousness. And this is not to say that we might not ever backslide (see Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22). But if we have wandered from the faith, we must repent of (turn from) our sin and follow our Lord in obedience from then on.

For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

And God, who is rich in mercy, might take some of us who had failed him miserably, and he might turn us around, and he might point us in a new direction like he did with Paul (then Saul). For, God had planned for us, from even before we were born, that we would serve him with our lives in obedience to his commands and in taking the message of the gospel to the people of the world, and in ministering to the body of Christ the love of God, the grace of God, and God’s plan and purpose for all of our lives.

And even though we had a period of time in our lives where we failed God miserably, and we went the opposite direction of what he has planned for our lives, still he loved us enough, not only to restore us to a right relationship with him, but to use us to preach (to spread) the truth of the gospel to the people of the world so that many people will follow Jesus with their lives from this moment forward and never look back. And we do none of this for self-glory, but all for the glory and praise of God who rescued us.

[Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; John 4:31-38; John 13:13-17; John 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:14-15; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:11-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9,21; 1 John 2:6]

Jesus, Rescue Me

Based off of Romans 7:7-25 thru Romans 8:1-39
An Original Work / September 18, 2011
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Jesus, rescue me today.
Listen while I bow and pray.
I need Your help to obey You;
Live for You always.
Meet me in my hour of need, Lord,
As I pray to You.
Help me walk in fellowship, Lord,
Living in Your truth.
Jesus, how I long for You to
Change my heart anew.

Father, God, my heart’s desire
Is to live for You this hour
In Your Holy Spirit’s power
Living in me now.
Teach me to walk in Your love, Lord,
Guiding me each day.
Help me to show love and kindness
To the lost, I pray.
Father, teach me to love others
As You love always.

Holy Spirit come in pow’r.
Revive our hearts in this hour.
Change our hearts to be like You, Lord;
Live for You each day.
Help us to forsake our sins, Lord,
As we humbly pray.
Teach us how to live for You, Lord,
Obey You always.
Holy Spirit come in power,
Revive us today.

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All Because of God’s Amazing Grace
An Original Work / December 15, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Much like the Minnesota Democrats, the Australian Labor Party is engaged in a cynical political ploy to pander to its Muslim bloc of voters, who outnumber Jews 7 to 1.
In September, Albanese flew off to the UN General Assembly and formally recognized Palestine as a state, joining the UK, Canada and France.
As President Trump said at the time, the stunt only emboldened Hamas at a crucial time and threatened to sabotage hostage releases.
Last year, during a Middle East diplomatic trip, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Gaza but refused to visit the sites of the Oct. 7 massacres in Israel.
Australia Immigration Minister Tony Burke, who has been busy organizing visas for Gazans, was just busted having a secret meeting with officials to repatriate “ISIS brides” from Syria, asking them to make sure the media didn’t find out.

Countries around the world need to act.

Rob Reiner had booked a massage on the day he and his wife died but did not answer the door, prompting the couple's daughter to go into their home where she discovered that they had been knifed to death, sources have told the Daily Mail.

The couple's son, Nick, reportedly had an explosive row with his parents at Conan O'Brien's holiday party hours before, and the 32-year-old has now been arrested and booked for felony murder.

A source has told the Daily Mail that a masseuse came to Reiner's $13.5million home at 2pm Sunday to help him and his wife de-stress. She rang the bell, knocked a number of times, and left when no one answered.

This prompted the couple's daughter Romy, who lives across the road, to go over to her parents' home, where she made the horrifying discovery that they had been slain.

Reiner, Michele and Nick attended Conan O'Brien's holiday party together on Saturday night, where they got into a 'very loud argument' which other guests could hear, TMZ reports.

Reiner and Michele left the party, which was attended by some of Hollywood's biggest stars, shortly after, sources told the outlet. It is not known if Nick left with his parents.

Then on Sunday, the couple allegedly had their throats slit after a heated argument with a relative, understood to be Nick, turned deadly at their LA mansion. Romy, Reiner's youngest child, reportedly told police that a family member 'should be a suspect' because they are 'dangerous'.

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President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that he is weighing whether to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a statement that mirrors similar comments he made earlier this year and during his 2024 presidential campaign.

The potential move to remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I controlled substances and make it a Schedule III drug would make it significantly easier to buy and sell cannabis and make the cannabis industry more profitable.

She is having another episode. Please pray for her mental health as well as her physical and spiritual health. We are just at a loss at this point.

Thank you.

How quickly they can find so many people without jobs.

Hey y’all, it’s been a while. I’ve come across some new answers to my predicament since I last posted. Here are things I can say with certainty:
1. I truly do desire marriage. I truly feel God put it on my heart.
2. Despite that, a lot of my depression comes from a deeper desire. I want to feel wanted.

The two don’t contradict or cancel. I want to get married AND I want to feel wanted. I always feel like the burden of whatever group of people I’m in.

The reason family love or even God’s love doesn’t feel like enough is because there’s usually expectations on those loves:
1. Families are expected to love me socially.
2. God’s love for everyone is the foundation of the faith.

But neither of those feel special. Why would I feel special with God’s love when He loves everyone equally? Why would I feel wanted in my family when they’re socially expected to love me.

That’s why I want real friends and marriage, I want to be wanted because, despite all the love from God and family, never once in my life have I felt wanted.

So… what now? What do I do to find friends. My small town hardly has meetups of interests, and I don’t have much money to travel.

Still, it’s a great first step that I nailed the source of my problem. Please help.

Also, since some people misunderstand what I'm saying:
When I say God loves us all equally, that means He loved us all enough to send Jesus to die for us, even the Pharisees. So yes, God DOES love everyone equally.

Also, I'm not saying marriage would make me complete! I'm not idolizing it, I'm just saying that marriage is a more exclusive love than God's love or family love, not that it's stronger, it's just more exclusive.

Federal authorities have arrested alleged suspects in a far-left domestic terror group that was planning to detonate a series of explosive devices on New Year’s Eve.

At a press conference Monday, authorities announced that they had arrested four members of the group Turtle Island Liberation Front last Friday, foiling a bomb plot set for Dec. 31.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California to apprehend the individuals who were planning to target multiple companies.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Western District of Louisiana and for the District of Massachusetts also helped in the investigation, as warrants were issued across the nation.

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