The European Court of Human Rights is reviewing a case that could determine whether religious symbols may be displayed in courtrooms and other public buildings. The case arises from complaints by Greek atheists who say the presence of Christian icons violated their right to a fair trial and religious freedom.

The legal challenge involves two separate hearings held in 2018 and 2019 in the Greek Supreme Administrative Court. In both cases, the applicants requested the removal of a Christian Orthodox icon of Jesus Christ from the courtroom, arguing that its display breached Article 6 and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the right to a fair trial and freedom of religion, respectively, according to the legal advocacy group ADF International.

The Greek court rejected both requests and allowed the religious symbol to remain in place, according to the case summary published by the European Court.

Continued below.

What did Pope Leo reveal was the last Secret of Fatima? Or did he?

There are two paths in this life to choose from. One of them leads to salvation (deliverance) from bondage (addiction) to sin, and to eternal life with God. But the other one leads to continuance in addiction to sin and the guarantee of hell everlasting. And we cannot be on both paths at the same time. We can’t go left and right at the same time, for the two are in opposition to the other. Either obedience to God is our practice, or it isn’t. And if it isn’t, we do not have eternal life with God and salvation from sin.

And this is not saying that we must be absolutely perfect in every respect, and that we will never sin again ever, and that we will never fail to live up to what God commands of us, as his followers (see 1 John 2:1-2). For we are still human beings who still live in flesh bodies, and so we are still vulnerable to temptation to sin. But the Scriptures make it clear to us that God has “drawn a line in the sand” over which we must not cross. Sin must no longer be our practice, and obedience to God must be what we put into practice.

So, entering through the narrow gate, and walking in the way that is narrow, that leads to life in Christ, our Lord, is the way of righteousness and holiness, and of obedience to our Lord and to his commands. It is the way that is restricted, regulated, limited, and controlled by God and by his word. And it teaches us that we must die with Christ to sin and be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin, but as servants of God and of his righteousness, in obedience to his commands.

But the gate that is wide, and the way that is broad, and which leads to destruction, and not to eternal life with God, is filled with all kinds of moral compromises and rejections of the truth of the gospel. And it appears to be the way which is most popular today among those professing faith in Jesus Christ. For so many have adopted this easy way to heaven which makes no requirements of them for biblical repentance and obedience to God’s commands, and so it sends its adherents to hell, and not to heaven.

The easy way says that you can just profess faith in Jesus Christ and now you are saved from all sins, and you are on your way to heaven, regardless of how you live and what you do. But the narrow way, which is the true way of salvation and eternal life with God, is not the easy way. It is the hard way, for it demands that we obey God, in practice, and that we live holy lives, pleasing to God, and that we cease with deliberate and habitual sin if we want to have salvation and eternal life with God. And few follow this way.

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).

[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; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; 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]

A Believer’s Prayer

An Original Work / July 31, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

With my whole heart, Lord, I pray
To be Yours, and Yours always.
Lead me in Your truth today.
May I love You, and obey.
Lead me in Your righteousness.
When I sin, may I confess;
Bow before You when I pray;
Live for You and You always.

Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.
Life with You will never end.
You are with me through each day,
Giving love and peace always.
You will ne’er abandon me.
From my sin You set me free.
You died on that cruel tree,
So I’d live eternally.

Soon You’re coming back for me;
From this world to set me free;
Live with You eternally.
Oh, what joy that brings to me.
I will walk with You in white;
A pure bride, I’ve been made right
By the blood of Jesus Christ;
Pardoned by His sacrifice.

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The Hard Way or The Easy Way?
An Original Work / January 19, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Is fire divine?

Literally?

That would be an interesting lawsuit.

Hi all,

Please pray I find a new job or get more hours. It’s starting to get ridiculous. My anxiety is at an all time high!

Thank you

Peace

Let’s take a walk down on a path,
Where flowers bloom, birds hum their tunes,
Where waters flow, the sun does glow,
The trees do shade in afternoons.

The gentle breeze feels oh, so good,
The air breathed in gives fresh new start,
The squirrels jumping through the trees
Brings comfort, joy, and peace of heart.

We like that feeling, feels so good
When all escapes life’s trials hard,
When for a moment death’s not there,
When all our troubles we discard.

But temporary these times are
When all our troubles we discard,
When life’s realities escape,
And all that hurts we disregard.

So, what we do the rest of time?
How do we cope? Have peace of mind?
We can’t escape reality,
But live, we can, serenity.

His name is Jesus, He’s our Lord,
His grace to us, we can’t afford.
So freely given, grace to find,
When from our sins we now rewind.

His love for us sent Christ to cross,
So of our lives He’d be the boss,
As we surrender all to Him,
And live no longer on a whim.

So, die to sin, live for your Lord,
Now be with Him in one accord,
And peace of mind will rule your heart,
And you’ll be given a new start.

An Original Work / January 18, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Thousands of people have been arrested during ICE operations in Minneapolis over the past two weeks. Multiple attorneys allege that for some of those detained, including at least one U.S. citizen, the Department of Homeland Security is denying their constitutional right to see an attorney.

Four attorneys told ABC News they have been denied access to their clients at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, where they are being held, which they say would violate 5th and 6th Amendment rights to due process and the right to consult with counsel.

“ICE agents were physically restricting me from seeing them,” said one immigration attorney, who asked not to be identified. “I stood outside the attorney visitation room for about four hours on Thursday, trying to see one of my clients who had been there for multiple days. I kept saying, you got to let me see my client. And they just kept repeating, we don't do attorney visitation.”

The immigration attorney told ABC News they have visited clients held on similar immigration charges at the Whipple building for the last decade without issue. The visitation denials of the past week, they said, are new and unprecedented.

“One ICE agent said if we let you see your clients, we would have to let all the attorneys see their clients, and imagine the chaos,” said another attorney who asked not to be named. “And I said to that person, yeah, you do have to let all the attorneys see their clients. You do have to accommodate that. That’s the Constitution. You chose to put them here. I didn't bring this guy here, you did."

[DHS spox] “The facts are illegal aliens in detention have access to phones they can use to contact their families and lawyers."

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.



So since we are currently in a pre-70th week time status, the rapture could happen pre-70th week.

Should the rapture not take place as the 70th week begins, then we should continue to watch - as the resurrection/rapture is even closer.

My point is - don't be so dogmatic (as to insisting pre-trib, mid-trib, pre-wrath, post trib timing). The key is to watch, be prepared, Matthew 24:44

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

We all should be able to adopt the "watch rapture view".

Please pray and ask God if He will heal us. My husband Robb's issues, pain and kidneys, My son Jakeb's general health and mental health and me Carmen my liver and blood pressure and that I am please not getting sick. Please pray that God keeps illness away from us. There are so many dangerous illnesses going around and I feel like I could be getting sick. Please pray for good health and protection from our Dear Lord. I ask in the name of Jesus. Thank you and God bless you.

Ezell said he had spoken with the missionary following the service. He reported “the kids in the worship service were terrified.”
SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg condemned the protest, calling it “absolutely wrong on every level.”

This is a federal crime. These entitled people think they are above the law. Time for Trump to move in the 11th Airborne.

Youngsters threatened with referral to anti-terror programme if they question migration while playing


A state-funded computer game is warning teenagers that they risk being referred to a counter-terrorism programme if they question mass migration.

Pathways is an interactive game designed for 11- to 18-year-old pupils and funded by Prevent, a Home Officeprogramme for tackling extremism.

Young players are directed to help their in-game characters – a white teenage boy and girl – to avoid being reported for “extreme Right-wing ideology” after discussing migration online.

Characters can face extremism referrals if they choose to engage with groups that spread “harmful ideological messages”, or join protests against the “erosion of British values”. Even researching online immigration statistics is portrayed negatively.

Other in-game pitfalls include sharing a video that claims Muslim men, rather than homeless veterans, are being given emergency accommodation.

An in-game meter monitors how extreme the character’s behaviour is. Those who “lose” may be given counselling to deal with “ideological thoughts” or referred to an anti-terrorism expert.

The game was developed with government backing by councils in East Yorkshire over growing concerns about immigration and tensions about migrant accommodation in their communities.

How the game works​

Continued below.

Could you please pray for my father, Joseph William Beatty.

He is currently in prison.

He is almost 70, and he suffers from several health issues.

Please.

If you could pray for the release of my father from prison,

that would be a great blessing.

Please, ask THE LORD to grant him the gift of freedom.

Thank You.

Trump wants nations to pay $1 billion to stay on his peace board​

According to a draft charter for the proposed group seen by Bloomberg, President Donald Trump would serve as its inaugural chairman and would decide on who is invited to be members. Decisions would be taken by a majority, with each member state present getting one vote, but all would be subject to the chairman’s approval.

“Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charter’s entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force,” the draft says.

The board is described in the charter as “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” It would become official once three member states agree to the charter.

Trump would also be responsible for approving the group’s official seal, the document says.

White House officials didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Canada’s Mark Carney, to be part of a Board of Peace for Gaza, which would be formed under the broader umbrella of his new Board of Peace.

That plan attracted swift criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the details hadn’t been coordinated with his country.

This is what happens when an ego is in the upper 1% and intelligence is on the left side of the curve.

Archbishop Dabula Mpako has issued a canonical decree requiring a group of parishioners who reportedly incited a series of protests in the archdiocese to undergo “rehabilitation” or be penalized.

Archbishop Dabula Mpako of South Africa’sCatholic Archdiocese of Pretoria has issued a canonical decree requiring a group of parishioners who reportedly incited a series of protests at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in the archdiocese to undergo a “rehabilitative process” or be penalized — including the possibility of excommunication.

In the decree circulated on Jan. 11, Mpako described the events of December 2025 in which some parishioners of the cathedral are said to have organized demonstrations, inciting other parishioners to participate in them. He said that they disrupted Mass to protest a pastoral decision that was made by the bishop concerning “a pastor of the archdiocese.”

The actions of Dec. 7 and Dec. 28, Mpako said, “seriously harmed ecclesial communion and the good name of the Church” as well as the freedom of the archbishop in the legitimate exercise of his pastoral office.

He said that penalties will include possible excommunication that “is reserved for those who, after due warning, persist in the schismatic behavior of inciting revolt against the lawful authority of the bishop.”

Continued below.

Peace in Christ.

We must depart from the man-based churches….going forth unto Him outside the “camp” while bearing His reproach. We bear His reproach because when we leave the man-based churches, the unbelievers among them will persecute us for doing so. We are sanctified with His blood when we go out from among them and be separate.

Heb 13:12-16 KJV
(12) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
(13) Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
(14) For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
(15) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
(16) But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

But their persecutions of us is only a “light affliction” which is but for a moment considering the following age-lasting weight of glory to be expected to be revealed in us.

2Co 4:17 KJV
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal (age-lasting) weight of glory;

If we suffer with Him (at the hands of the unbelievers among the man-based churches), we shall be also be GLORIFIED together with Him.

Rom 8:16-19 KJV
(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

The suffering of this present time is nothing compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us.

(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

When He shall appear, we shall also appear with Him in glory. Jesus IS COMING in our mortal flesh. His presence shall arrive….and His glory shall be seen in us by the people of the outside world who are sitting in deep darkness. He that IS COMING shall arrive and not delay. We do not mortally die while we wait for His arriving presence in this mortal body. We shall have this treasure in our earthen bodies.

Col 3:2-4 KJV
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Let us run with patient endurance that is set before us. We are to come out from among the man-based churches and be separate from them and lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us. It is a race out of them....and we are to not return evil for their evil as they will persecute us for leaving them.

Heb 12:1-4 KJV
(1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Consider Him that endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. Let us follow the Lamb out of the man-based churches by keeping His sacrifice in our mortal bodies…dying to sin when being persecuted by those we leave behind. We are to bear His reproach…suffering with Him….enduring the cross with Him…for the joy that shall follow is immense. The light affliction of the man-based churches is only temporary. It is nothing compared to the glory that shall be had following it.

We shall sit with Him in His throne…at the right hand of the throne of God. He gives us power over the nations.

(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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us not be weary in well doing in the face of the persecutions of the sinners of the man-based churches who will persecute us for leaving them.

(3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Christ resisted the sinners to the point of His blood being shed.....but we won't have to reach that point in our striving against sin (returning evil for their evil) for He has already did it for us and has shown us the Way to follow Him in our struggle against sin in the face of their persecutions of us.

(4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

We are to follow Him out…following in His steps. When He was reviled, He did not revile again. When Jesus suffered, He did not threaten but instead committed Himself to God that judges righteously. God will judge the sinners of the unbelievers of the man-based churches who will persecute us for His sake and the gospel’s. Christ left for us the example that we should follow in. He is THE WAY.

1Pe 2:21-25 KJV
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

We are to suffer for righteousness’ sake. Be not afraid of their (the unbelievers among the man-based churches) terror….neither be troubled.

1Pe 3:13-17 KJV
(13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
(14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
(15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

They….the unbelievers among the man-based churches…will speak evil of us….as evildoers….but we are to suffer for well going so that they may be ashamed that falsely accuse our good behavior in Christ. We come out from among them.....and they will speak evil of us for doing so.

(16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
(17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

MANY.... who will be staying put in the man-based churches in their unbelief of the Word of Truth.....will follow after their false teachers' pernicious ways and speak evil of the Way of Truth. The Way of Truth is to come out from among the man-based churches and be separate from them. They will speak evil of that Way. They will deny the Lord who bought them by doing so.

2Pe 2:1-2 KJV
(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Their fiery trial of us shall test our faith….but we are then made partakers of Christ’s sufferings. But the joy is set before us. His glory shall be revealed in us….and then no man can take away that “exceeding joy”. The persecutions are nothing compared to what is set before us ….the revealing of His glory in us to this dark world who will then SEE and come to it.

1Pe 4:12-14 KJV
(12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(14) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

The Spirit of glory and of God shall rest upon us. The people of the outside world who are in deep darkness shall then SEE the glory upon us…and will come to Him/us.

Isa 60:1-9 KJV
(1) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
(2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

The nations shall come to our light and their kings to the brightness of our rising. Our God glorifies us.

(3) And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
(4) Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

Then the exceeding joy shall set in. We shall forget all of our troubles we had when the man-based churches had persecuted us for we shall see the people of the outside world come to our light and our hearts shall "fear and be enlarged".

(5) Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
(6) The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
(7) All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
(8) Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
(9) Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

US apologizes to student mistakenly deported​

A federal apology is nice, but the US won't fix the situation for college student deported over Thanksgiving​

Federal officials have issued an apology after a college student was deportedduring Thanksgiving break, acknowledging mistakes in a case that has drawn renewed attention to the human impact of immigration enforcement. [Bolded link is a far superior AP article with much more detail: "But the government also acknowledged it violated the judge’s order." But it was an honest mistake, so nothing can be done.]

The student was removed from the United States while visiting family over the holiday, despite having unresolved legal matters connected to their immigration status. Advocates and educators criticized the deportation, saying it should not have occurred before those issues were reviewed.

Following public scrutiny, government officials acknowledged errors in the handling of the case and said they are reviewing internal procedures to prevent similar incidents. Details about how the deportation was authorized have not been fully disclosed.

--

Background from the closed thread.

A very special holiday edition of "Why do people hate ICE?"

19-year-old college student deported despite judge's order blocking her removal​

A 19-year-old college student who was on her way to surprise her family for Thanksgiving break was detained at a Boston airport and later deported despite a federal judge's order blocking her removal, according to her attorney.

Hours after her detainment, court documents obtained by ABC News show that a federal judge ordered the government not to remove the 19-year-old from the U.S. and not to transfer her outside of Massachusetts.

But according to Pomerleau, Lopez Belloza was transferred that evening to Texas and deported to Honduras the next day.

A Los Angeles County district attorney’s office employee was “wrongfully detained” by federal immigration agents on Friday, according to an internal e-mail obtained by The Times.

L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman [longtime Republican, now 'independent'] called the incident “unacceptable” in an office-wide memo sent out on Friday evening.

“A member of our Office was wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I can thankfully report that, shortly after, our employee was released and is safe,” Hochman wrote. “This incident is unacceptable. Our employee is a dedicated public servant who serves the people of Los Angeles County with professionalism and integrity. This troubling situation caused great distress to our colleague, our co-worker’s family, and our entire Office family.”

The reason for the person’s detention was not immediately clear. A spokesman for Hochman declined to comment further and referred questions to ICE. Representatives for ICE did not respond to inquiries from The Times. .

Two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the incident, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to talk candidly, said the employee was not a prosecutor. The employee was also not engaged in protest activity, the officials said.

"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Summary 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

God was not pleased with most of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, because they refused to obey God and his commandments, and they chose their own ways and their sins, instead. Therefore, they were overthrown in the wilderness, i.e. they were put to death because they desired evil. They were drunkards, revelers, idolaters, adulterers, and those who indulged in sexual immorality, who put Christ to the test, and who grumbled against God and against his servant Moses.

And these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did, i.e. that we might not be drunkards, revelers, idolaters, adulterers, the sexually immoral, and those who put Christ to the test and who grumble and complain against God, etc. And these things happened to them as an example to us, and they were written down for us for our instruction so that we do not do what they did and end up dying in our sins and not having eternal life with God, because we loved our sins more.


Probably those who fell in the wilderness because of their disobedience, which God regarded as unbelief, thought that they were secure because they were the Israelites who were God’s chosen people, the Jews. And I believe that is where many people are today who profess faith in Jesus Christ, but who desire evil as they did, and who are addicted to sin, as they were. They think because they professed faith in Jesus Christ that God will not judge them for their sins, and so they go on living in sin, free from conscience.

But 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..

By God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

Therefore, we must be careful to not have this notion that we are now invincible because we “believed” in Jesus Christ. For it is not lip service only which secures us salvation from all sin and eternal life with God. For by faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, but which comes from God, and is gifted to us by God, and is persuaded of God, we die with Christ to sin that we might now live to God and to his righteousness in obedience to his commands in holy living – all in the power of God, and not of human flesh.

God will help us to resist the devil and to flee temptation and to follow him in obedience, if we are willing and obedient, and if we do not resist him, and if we do not choose our sins over God. There are no excuses for any of us who believe in Jesus to continue in deliberate and habitual sin against our Lord. For Jesus paid the price for us on that cross with his blood to free us from our bondage to sin so that we will now live for him in doing what pleases him, no longer to live as those who live to please our sinful flesh.

So, no more excuses! Surrender to Jesus today. And obey our Lord!

[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; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; 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]

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Words by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907
Music by George C. Stebbins, 1907

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

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Pride Comes Before a Fall
An Original Work / January 18, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

The State of West Virginia v. B.P.J., a landmark case that will determinewhether states can protect women’s sports from biological males was heard a few days ago at the Supreme Court in the opening oral arguments. The case centers on West Virginia’s “Save Women’s Sports Bill,” which requires student athletes to compete in sports matching their biological sex.

A biological male student challenged the law seeking to compete on girls’ track teams. Lower courts blocked the law, but the Supreme Court will now decide whether states have the constitutional authority to maintain sex-separated sports.

The stakes are enormous. This case affects athletic programs across all 50 states, impacting millions of female athletes from elementary school age all they way up to college. It will determine whether biological reality or gender ideology shapes American sports policy. Make no mistake: This isn’t just about athletics. It’s about whether our nation will recognize fundamental biological truths or surrender to ideology that denies reality itself. So how should Christians think about this? Consider these three points:

First, we must recognize what has been true since creation: There are only two biological sexes.

Continued below.

Will the Supreme Court Save Women’s Sports? West Virginia Case | Standing for Freedom Center

Everyone knows knows that men have an anatomical, athletic advantage over women, even if they suppress their testosterone. The Supreme Court now has a chance to affirm this biblical and scientific reality. Let us pray that they rely on courage, wisdom, and the truth to rule righteously in this...

www.standingforfreedom.com

Morning Prayers

Second Sunday After Epiphany propers & commentary

Second Sunday After The Epiphany propers & commentary (Gueranger)

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's Instruction on the Second Sunday After The Epiphany

Daily Gospel

Scripture & Tradition: Second Sunday After Epiphany

In Illo Tempore: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

WDTPRS: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany – liturgical unicorn

The Orations of the Second Sunday after Epiphany

The first miracle of Jesus: meditation on the second Sunday after the Epiphany

Saint Peter’s Chair at Rome

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - The Wedding Feast of Cana 1/18/26

LUKE 6:27-30 (CJB), Nevertheless, to you who are listening, what I say is this: “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “If someone hits you on one cheek, offer the other too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. “If someone asks you for something, give it to him; if someone takes what belongs to you, don’t demand it back.

This scripture is so simple, yet it’s so far from mans heart. How many times have I read this and overlooked it as any other loving-kindness teaching, and failed to realize the importance behind it? Did Jesus ever teach anything that was not detrimental to our salvation? Everything Messiah taught is something so valuable it can cost us our eternal life! What was I really doing then, if I was reading this, but not grasping it? Notice the first line, “to you who are listening”. Ah, okay, so I wasn’t really listening to what He is saying. This is how important this teaching is, that Jesus tells us to listen in the very beginning! Now that I’ve listened what do I do? Well, He tells me what to do; so, I must take action and follow this. There is a Hebrew word for, to hear and obey, and it is called Shema(Sh’mah). This teaching uses the Shema principle by first telling us to listen and then giving us things to do. The saying goes, “To hear God is to obey God and to obey God is to hear God”.

Matthew 5:43-48 (CJB), “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor — and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. What reward do you get if you love only those who love you? Why, even tax-collectors do that! And if you are friendly only to your friends, are you doing anything out of the ordinary? Even the Goyim do that! Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

What is an enemy? I like to categorize enemies to be anywhere from the range of do not like to absolutely despise. The worst case scenario you want your enemy to be utterly destroyed. An enemy could be someone who has done you wrong, or someone you want to enact revenge on. There is a broad definition on what an enemy is. It is hard to love someone you do not like. We need to remember that they’re also a human being who has sined as we have, and they are not the enemy. The Scripture says that we war not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual beings in high places. Our enemies are no different than us. They can be accepted into the Kingdom of God as we can. The real enemy is the one waging war in an invisible realm that we cannot see. Christ points out that even tax collectors love those who love them. Why the tax collectors? In today’s times we see tax collectors as just someone doing their job. During that day, tax collectors that were Jewish, and working for the Romans, were seen as traitors among their people. Essentially, Christ was stating that all people are the same, and the tax collector is not lower than the Pharisee or Torah scholar. This would have highly angered the governing sanhedrin of the time! Thought, “What?! How am I the same as a tax collector!?” They could either humble themselves or remain in pride.

Matthew 25:31-46 (TLV), “Now when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? Or thirsty and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger and invite You in? Or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “And answering, the King will say to them, ‘Amen, I tell you, whatever you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Go away from Me, you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in; naked and you did not clothe Me; sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they too will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not care for You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Amen, I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ These shall go off to everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.”

Therefore, we need to live our lives in love. We need to learn to love God and neighbor, then we may live in our purpose as a representation of Christ on earth.

I go by Pastor Bill. I'm a late bloomer/believer in life. Almost 72 years old and hoping to discover what I want to be when I grow up
Walked in darkness for 68 years with intermittent light. Finally paid attention to Who was in that light. I'm a non-denominational minister who has one goal - touch just one heart with the love of Jesus, if accomplished, than His will was done.

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