The subject matter has to do with our relationships with God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit (James 1:1-18). We must be for him, and not against him. We must not accuse him falsely of what he did not do, but we must be reasonable and biblical in our judgments. We must accept trials and tribulations as coming from God, for our good, and we must not put God to the test. If we pray for wisdom, we should do so in faith, not doubting God and his wisdom. Otherwise, we are double-minded, unstable in all our ways, and we should not suppose we are to receive anything from God.

And then we are to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We can certainly apply this in our relationships with other humans, and I have done so plenty of times, I am certain. But, in context, the more that I read this, the more I came to the realization that this has more to do with our listening to God than it has to do with us listening to other humans. It has more to do with us hearing his words, without us quickly responding with our own opinions, or in anger, “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” If we are angry with God, we will not obey him.

Sadly, many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ today will only read the Scriptures which they have come to believe will agree with their lifestyles, or that do not confront them in their sins and call them to repentance and to obedience to our Lord’s commands. Thus, they ignore the Scriptures that they do not like to hear and they focus solely on the ones which make them feel good, which are often ones which are taught out of context and made to say what they do not say if taught in the appropriate context. So, if the Scriptures they are reading confront them in their sins, they ignore them.

But, as those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we are to put out of our lives, by the Spirit, by the grace of God, all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and we are to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save our souls. And Jesus Christ is THE WORD, and the Scriptures are the Word of God, and as followers of Christ, Christ is now to be living within us, in the person of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit within us is to be teaching us all things about Christ. And we are to be students of the Scriptures who are hiding the Word of God within our hearts.


But it is not enough just to read or to study the Scriptures, which must be studied in their appropriate context, but we must be those who, by the Spirit, are putting the Word (taught in the right context) into practice in our daily lives. And why is context so important? For example, many people read Ephesians 2:8-9 and they ignore verse 10. So they come to the conclusion that they can make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and that no works are required of them at all – no repentance and no obedience to God. And so they create their own gospel of salvation that is not of God, not of his word.

However, in verse 8 it lets us know that this is not of our own doing, not of our own “good works” of the flesh, so we have no cause to boast. Thus, we cannot create our own version of our salvation from sin. And it lets us know that our salvation only comes to us by the grace of God, through faith, both of which are gifted to us by God, and not of our own doing. And the word “faith” in this context means to be persuaded by God. And God persuades us as to his righteousness and holiness, and of our sinfulness, and of our need to repent of our sins and to follow Jesus in obedience (Luke 9:23-26).

And God’s grace, which is gifted to us by God, delivers us from our slavery to sin so that we can now follow Jesus in walks of obedience (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:1-23). And God’s grace is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return. For Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (see Titus 2:11-14). And “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

So don’t believe those people who are telling you that you don’t have to repent (turn away from sin), and that you don’t have to obey God and his commands, for they are lying to you. We must be those who are doers of the Word who obey our Lord and his New Covenant commands, as a matter of life practice, and who do not make sin our practice. Read the Scriptures in their full context and you will see what they teach. For if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, we will not inherit eternal life with God, regardless of what faith in Jesus we claim to possess. Take this to heart!

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; 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 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

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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We Must Be Doers of The Word
An Original Work / March 23, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Some very minor paper-work issue led to her being held like this!
Neon lights beaming 24/7.
No privacy.
Forced pregnancy tests and human privacy violations.
Rude guards that sounded ignorant and 'didn't know anything'.
Never knew anything!
Released 2 weeks later when a media storm built.
No explanation!
Is this Trump's America?
(I have a fairly politically conservative men's group at my church - but even they have all sworn off America as a holiday destination until Trump's gone.)

Days like this...


Weeks like this...

GPS DATA EXPOSES ASTROTURFING AT DENVER BERNIE-AOC RALLY That massive Bernie Sanders and AOC rally in Denver? Turns out it wasn’t as “grassroots” as advertised. Despite claims of 34,000 attendees, GPS data analysis reveals the real number was closer to 20,000—still big, but not record-breaking. More revealing? A whopping 84% of those devices had shown up at nine or more other protests, including Antifa/BLM events, pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and Kamala Harris campaign stops. Over 30% had attended twenty or more. Data analysts say the crowd was anything but organic—the majority were tied to activist networks like Disruption Project, Indivisible, Democratic Socialists of America, Rise & Resist, and Troublemakers—all reportedly funded by ActBlue and some receiving backing via USAID. Optics over authenticity. The playbook hasn’t changed—just the targets.

Has anyone on here studied this subject biblically and with regard historically as to what the situation was with orphans and widows of their day and time and culture? Where did they live? Who cared for them? What were their means of financial support? I have not delved into this historically, which I am most certain was probably a much different situation than we have presently in the USA (where I live) in 2025. And what do you believe this should realistically look like in my culture today? Or in your culture?

Found this new Quiz and thought I'd share it with fellow believers:

Quiz: What Is Your Faith Personality?

Wasn't quire sure where in the forum to post it(feel free to move it to a different subforum), but I found the results quite intriguing and surprisingly detailed.

My result was "Curious Seeker".

Post yours here if you like

Blessings

Plato proposed a theory of forms/ideas. He believed in a realm of perfect, eternal, and unchanging Forms. The physical world we perceive is merely a shadow or imperfect reflection of these Forms. He was an idealist. His student, Aristotle, was more of a realist. He rejected the Platonic Forms and emphasized empirical observation. In his view, you can’t have a form without matter—substance is a composite of both, unlike Plato’s clean split between the two. Plato looked for spiritual truths. Aristotle relied on systematic, logical reasoning to derive them.

Are Muslims more Aristotelian than Platonic compared to Christians?

I'll answer this question with some nuance. First, Platonism and Aristotelianism played significant roles in Islamic and Christian intellectual histories.

During the Islamic Golden Age, were Muslims more Aristotelian than Platonic compared to Christians?

I think so. The Middle Ages properly contained the Islamic Golden Age, during which Muslim scholars engaged with Aristotle particularly intensively.

Al-Farabi (c. 872 - 950 CE) was known as "the Second Teacher" (after Aristotle), highlighting his profound influence on Islamic philosophy after Aristotle.

Averroes (1126 - 1198 CE) wrote his commentaries on Aristotle. It helped to revive Aristotelian philosophy in Europe during the medieval period.

While Platonic ideas were present in Islamic thought (e.g., Neoplatonism influenced early Islamic mysticism and theology), Aristotelianism became the dominant philosophical framework during the Islamic Golden Age.

At the end of the Islamic Golden Age, Christian thinkers began to engage more deeply with Aristotle, partly due to the influence of Islamic philosophers like Averroes. Thomas Aquinas, in particular, sought to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology in works like Summa Theologica. However, even Aquinas retained elements of Platonic thought, especially in his understanding of universals and the nature of the divine. He held a more balanced view between Plato and Aristotle.

Are Muslims more Aristotelian than Platonic compared to Christians?

The question is too general to answer without stereotyping. While both Platonic and Aristotelian thought were critical, Aristotelianism had a more substantial influence during the Islamic Golden Age.

Hazelelponi said:

I would honestly consider it a Trump effect.

The country just spoke saying no, there's definitely a "too far" with this stuff, and companies are trying to strike a balance with their image profile to reflect a better balance more in line with the people they are wanting to sell their products to.

That's what I figured.

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I agree!

don't know whether it has anything to do with the 6th Seal or not but I think it refers to Christ's 1st Coming fulfilling Zerubbabel as a "sign." Christ will, at his 2nd Coming, destroy the rule of the nations who oppose the Kingdom of God, or Christianity.

"As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven." (1 Corinthians 15:48)

Jermayn said:

I think I understand the direction you're going with this, and I appreciate your willingness to dig into difficult and often overlooked historical connections. For context, I don’t hold to evolution myself, I believe in the traditional Christian view of creation and fully affirm the authority of God’s Word. So, I’m definitely not here to defend Darwinism.

That said, I’d gently suggest that linking Darwinian thought directly to the Holocaust might not be the most effective way to challenge evolutionary theory. Darwinism was never meant to be a moral framework, just as the Bible, though full of truth and moral instruction, has unfortunately been misused by people to justify atrocities as well. That doesn’t discredit Scripture, just as misuse doesn’t necessarily discredit a scientific theory.

The common thread in all of these tragedies is flawed human interpretation. We’ve seen throughout history that ideologies, sacred or secular, can be twisted to justify evil. I know your heart is in the right place, you’re defending truth and pointing out real dangers, but this particular comparison could trigger an emotional response that overshadows your broader point.

There’s a lot of solid ground to stand on when discussing the case for creation, scientifically and biblically, and I think your voice in that space is valuable, but this particular argument just isn't very effective beyond, as previously stated, triggering an emotional response in your audience.

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Thank you for your reply. Let me be clear: this isn't about attacking Darwinism. It's about historical accuracy. William Jennings Bryan's 1920s crusade against evolution stemmed from his reading of Headquarters Nights, a book that drew a direct line between Darwinism and German war crimes in World War I. Bryan warned that Darwinism fueled German militarism, which, in his view, was a root cause of the war's horrors and the atrocities committed by the Imperial German Army in Belgium. Western elites dismissed his concerns. However, after World War II, when the scientific underpinnings of the Holocaust became evident, secular activists actively worked to bury this historical link.

The reign of Christ represents the ultimate standard of truth, justice, and righteousness. However, throughout history, various ideologies, practices, and worldviews have emerged as counterfeits to Christ’s rule. These counterfeits often appear to address societal needs but ultimately deviate from biblical truth, undermining God’s design for humanity and creation. Below are ten prominent counterfeits of the reign of Christ, structured to highlight their biblical contradictions and societal implications.

1. Socialism as opposed to meritocracy based on sowing and reaping

The Bible affirms the principle of sowing and reaping, as outlined in Galatians 6:7: “A man reaps what he sows.” This principle underpins a meritocratic system where individuals are rewarded for their labor, diligence, and stewardship. Socialism, by contrast, redistributes resources irrespective of effort, undermining personal responsibility and the biblical work ethic. While Scripture calls for generosity and care for the poor, these are voluntary acts of worship, not enforced governmental mandates. Socialism’s overreach becomes a counterfeit of Christ’s reign by placing the state, not God, as the provider and sustainer of life.

2. Binary image of God versus gender fluidity

Continued below.

Many people around the world look at money like it’s a means to salvation. We can easily think that if we just made a little more, everything would be alright, or if we found a higher-paying job, then we would finally be happy.

That’s a false narrative. Money cannot and will not buy happiness. Don’t misunderstand: money itself is not bad or wrong. But our relationship with money can quickly become that and much more.

That’s why the Bible teaches that we shouldn’t love money. Love of money, after all, is the root of all kinds of evil. But the Bible doesn’t just have negative teachings. It also tells us many things we should love, seek and prioritize instead of money.

Proverbs talks about the importance of wisdom and 1 Corinthians emphasizes love. But over and over, the Bible holds out one thing that is more crucial, more lasting, and more effectual than money.

That’s faith.

Perhaps no story in the Gospels demonstrates this truth better than the woman with the blood issue found in Mark 5:25-34. Many modern English translations of the Bible simply call this woman “sick.” But there’s more to her story.

Continued below.

It’s hard to imagine Christianity without the Nicene Creed.

Regular churchgoers will surely know all or some of the words — “I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth …” — even if they don’t know the origin of what’s recited almost every Sunday by most Christians worldwide.

Seventeen hundred years ago, what became the defining statement of Christianity was adopted in Nicaea (present-day Iznik, Turkey). Back then, Iznik was an outpost of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great in what used to be called Asia Minor.

Continued below.

The actor, best known as Captain Kirk on the original "Star Trek" series, was born in Montreal on March 22, 1931​

William Shatner knows it’s better to give than to receive … and that Las Vegas is a lot of fun.


The "Star Trek" alum plans to celebrate his 94th birthday on Saturday by volunteering – as he has for the last 35 years – at his charity.

"For the last many years, I have celebrated my birthday by working on a very successful charity called The Hollywood Charity Horse Show," the 94-year-old revealed to People magazine. "We have been doing it for 35 years and raised millions of dollars for children and veterans."

Shatner started the charity in 1990 after watching handicapped children doing horse therapy.

Continued below.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN said:

I'm confused how Elon Musk, from Africa has any control in our government.

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CarefulDrifter said:

I really like to love and care for other guys (as a man myself), and sometimes wish I could bring my friends to bed with me for some innocent cuddles and maybe sleep, but I have some concerns about whether it is right of me. My first concern is that I will end up inciting lust and perverting my relationships, I want to avoid this and keep to a pure sort of love. My second concern is that this is not becoming of me as a brother in Christ to partake in. Is there any biblical guidance for this? Is such a thing healthy? Am I not being childish, wanting to hold my friends so close with me and in such intimacy? My third and final concern is that my friends will get the wrong messages, or perhaps push me away for something they view as culturally innapropriate, or perhaps be too uncomfortable with such closeness.

As far as I know, the bible does not prohibit this, and I am unaware of what fruit this practice will bear, and whether it is supportive of the close brotherly bond I love and want. I could use guidance on brotherly love in general, because I really enjoy intimacy and physical contact with others, which seems to be an unpopular stance. If you have any wisdom, please let me hear it.

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I appreciate you opening up to such deeply personal matters. This is not something many people, especially men, would be open to sharing. It sounds like what you are craving isn't sexual or lustful in nature, but comfort, closeness, and emotional rest. It is important that we respect cultural norms, so I would encourage you to try these things instead:

-Shared prayer and accountability with trusted brothers
-Physical touch in culturally comfortable ways (a hand on the shoulder, a side hug, etc.)
-Spending restful time with others, even watching a movie or sharing a quiet evening together can bring that same sense of “rest” without overstepping emotional boundaries.

And you're absolutely right that biblical brotherhood is intimate in a deep, soul-level way. Jesus wept with His friends, leaned on them in the Garden, and shared His love openly. You’re not broken for wanting that closeness, you’re actually tapping into something profoundly human and holy. Just continue praying for wisdom and discernment as you pursue those kinds of relationships. God isn’t shaming you for wanting rest. He built us for connection. Another thought is that if it is physical touch you are yearning for, perhaps God is calling you to find a wife.

Closing in on close to a trillion in total new investments - Promises made - promises kept

linux.poet said:

Dear Lord,
I pray that You would break down Herbert's obstacles to belief in the Gospel, and guide him into a saving knowledge of the truth. In Christ's Name, Amen

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Thank you so much! Be blessed and everybody who prayed for in Jesus name Amen (Lk 6,38)

Pop D. said:

Heavenly Father, Holy is Your Name, we pray You will heal and comfort Svetlana and let her live to see her grandchildren, in the Name of Jesus, as only You can do. Amen and Amen.

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Thank you so much! Be blessed and everybody who prayed for in Jesus name Amen (Lk 6,38)

Thanks to everybody who prayed for Barbara! Be blessed in Jesus name Amen (Lk6,38)

Vanellus said:

This is not an argument for not being concerned about social justice. You can be concerned about social justice (as Jesus was) and preach the gospel of the kingdom as Jesus did.

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Agree totally. But don't you see what I am getting at?

Israeli PM Golda Meir once told a troubled Biden when he was just a 30-year-old senator that Israel had a secret weapon. It was 1973 on the eve of the Yom Kippur war, and he was on his first trip to Israel. “Don’t worry,” she reassured him, “We have a secret weapon in our conflict with the Arabs.” He leaned in to hear more… “You see, we have no place else to go,” she told him.1 That’s Israel’s secret weapon: we have no choice but to fight for our survival—and win. Losing would be unthinkable, so our forces are formidable. They have to be. But did you know about the secret weapon in Iran?

The not-so-secret weapon, hiding beneath the surface in Iran​

Perhaps you know about it and perhaps you don’t but an estimated 50,000 mosques have closed and the gospel is spreading like wildfire in Iran. Many are turning their backs on the Islamic faith as a direct result of the brutal regime which beats and murders women for showing their hair, songwriters and poets for expressing dissent, and executes atheists and converts to Christianity. Despite the intense persecution of believers, Iran has the fastest growing church in the world, and it’s been that way for quite a few years now. It’s all underground though, and happening in secret—on the surface the Iranian regime presents the appearance of Islamic respectability, blustering and threatening and bullying everyone in the neighborhood. The Iranian regime (to be differentiated from Iran itself, as Iranians will earnestly insist) is the number one sponsor of terrorism in the world. Much of that it is targeting the one Jewish state not far from its borders, but Iranian sponsored terrorism has hit many nations around the world, especially in the West.

Under the veneer of Islamic extremism then lies a mighty underground church. This is Iran’s secret weapon, and it’s aimed at it’s own leadership: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. But there’s more:

An army of Esthers rising up​

One of the most remarkable things about this underground church is that the weakest and most vulnerable members of society are spearheading the multiplying movement of discipleship. Many brave women are spearheading the church under very dangerous circumstances, much the same as they are in China.

“The fastest-growing church in the world today is in the Islamic Republic of Iran” reports Frontier Alliance International2, “and it’s mostly led by women.”

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When we consider attitudes towards women in Iran, it’s extraordinary that God has chosen the mothers, the daughters, and the sisters of Iran to rise up and intercede for their people, just like in the story of Esther from the old Persian Empire.

An imam in the regime has been recorded saying in a sermon that, “women are no different from cows, sheep, horses, or mules. God made women resemble humans so they wouldn’t frighten men.”3 The level of contempt, even hatred, is shocking. Just as in neighboring Afghanistan, women are despised, abused, and mistreated. Isn’t it just like Jesus to raise those women up for this noble calling?

“God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

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How ironic. The underground church, and much of the revolution in general, is being led by women. More than that, the majority of the Iranian church (and people in general) love and support Israel. It’s the exact antithesis of Iran’s Islamic extremist, sexist and Israel-hating regime.

The love-link between Iran and Israel​

Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president (who met his death in a mysterious helicopter crash in May 2024) had signed a decree in the summer of 2022 to impose harsh punishments for women failing to meet strict dress requirements. In September Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd, was beaten into a coma by the morality police from which she never recovered. Her death sparked an uprising of brave Persian women against the cruel oppression they were suffering, in which many more have given their lives. But guess who has been front and center, supporting these women in their cause? That’s right, Israel.

On October 29th, 2022, a huge protest erupted on behalf of these Iranian women in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign affairs posted on Facebook the following day pictures from the protest, with the words:

“Tel Aviv last night: hundreds of Israelis come out to support the citizens of Iran who are fighting for their basic freedoms. Our message is loud and clear: Israel stands with the people of Iran.”

The post also tagged then deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur Hassan, who has been one of the most vocal supporters of this women-led revolution. The movement spread across the world, and Persians also gathered to protest in California. It was there that Hassan met Iranian-born Christian, Hooman Khalili. He had been challenged by San Francisco’s Art Commissioner to start a campaign of murals highlighting the issue. Hassan immediately invited him to Israel, saying she wanted murals on the subject in Israel . Khalili felt God was in it, saying to him, “I want you to do this”. He later said that he “really felt it was a heavenly assignment”.

There are no murals supporting Iranian women in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, the UAE, as Hooman says, The only country in the Middle East that is standing with them is Israel. And the amazing thing is that Iranians have supported Israel right back when war erupted after the Hamas massacre on October 7 a year later.

Better than Israel’s Iron Dome, the God of Israel is a mighty warrior. He promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:2). By throwing their lot in with Israel and rallying alongside them in the bitter fighting against Iranian proxies, the Iranian people are siding with God’s purposes against the powers of darkness and their own wicked rulers.

Activate the Esthers​

“I started in January 2023 and I’ve done 17 trips in 21 months,” Khalili told me. He has just completed his eighteenth and final mural which is now proudly displayed in Jerusalem’s First Station. “I thought a lot about last mural has a lot of components to it.”

“In previous murals I talked about Esthers of the world rise up but on this one I put Esthers are rising up: it’s happening right now, in front of our eyes. They’ve heard and call and are rising up.”

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“This revolution is happening through women. They are bringing change in the Middle East for those will have eyes to see and ears to hear.” Hooman’s murals make visible the invisible women of Iran, and give a voice to the voiceless. He shares his hope that they serve as an inspiration and encouragement to everyone fighting for their freedom, to know that their sacrifice is not in vain. “They are not only remembered but they are remembered in the Holy Land”.

He emphasized, “I want the world to see the Jews, the Israelis standing alongside the people of Iran as they fight for their freedom – that is the point of these murals in the Holy Land is for the world to see the People of Israel standing with the freedom fighting people of Iran against the Islamic regime.”

“The relationship between the Persians and the Jews is biblical and every single one of these murals is rebuilding that bridge.” ~ Hooman Khalili

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In the speech he gave at the unveiling, Khalili drew the connection between the Iranian Jews who fought against Hamas and the women of Iran fighting against their own regime. “This mural is a testament to the strength and courage of the women who have been murdered and the women who are still fighting. This mural also has the faces of two Persian Jews killed by Hamas on October 7th Shirel Haim Pour and Sahar Saudyan.”

These murals show the world that Israel is the only country in the Middle East standing with the freedom fighting women of Iran, and equally, Iranians have proved to be some of the bravest and most prominent allies we have had as the world has turned against Israel in this war. And you know what the Bible says about being a blessing to Israel…

The hand of God​

The Iranian regime kills more Christians than almost any other country in the world, yet the women there have the courage to dance, show their hair, study the word of God and serve in underground churches. This is Iran’s secret weapon. The viciously oppressed prayer warriors of Iran are calling on the God of Israel, and He will hear them. Iran is full of hidden Christians, along with many atheists and dissenters who stand against the regime. The vast majority want to see an Israeli victory, and many are aligning with and praying for Israel.

Khalili prayed this priestly blessing over Iran:

“May the Lord bless Iran and guard and protect her people
May the Lord make his face to shine on Iran
And be gracious to the women of Iran
May the Lord turn his face towards the freedom fighting people of Iran and give them peace.”

Let’s join him in his prayer, and petition God for the regime to be utterly ended. A new Iran free of oppression would take out the support of all the terror proxies surrounding Israel. Just imagine a world with an incapacitated Hamas, Hezbollah, the end of Islamic Jihad and Houthi capabilities to fire at Israel. No fire power or equipment to carry out another October 7, and no more terror tunnels. This is what would happen if the Iranian regime comes to an end. Freedom not only for the Iranian people, but a reprieve for the whole Middle East. There could be a time where we could travel to one another’s countries, and the gospel could spread unhindered.

Iran’s secret weapon is the underground church, the Persian women and men who bravely stand with Jesus, with Israel, and who pray for the fall of the regime. Here is a passage Iranian believers hold to as a promise that God will work miracles in their nation. Let’s join them in prayer

“I will terrify Elam [Iran] before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the Lord. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the Lord. But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 49:37-39)

Michie said:

After spending nine grueling months in space, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore was rescued alongside fellow astronaut Suni Williams. Wilmore expressed that his faith in Jesus was key to his enduring the experience.

His return has captured public attention this week, and his statements have had a significant impact.

As reported by CBN News, Wilmore shared that his journey was filled with challenges, but that his trust in God gave him the strength he needed. "My feeling about all of this goes back to my faith. It's tied to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and purposes for His glory through all of humanity, and how that plays out in our lives is meaningful and important," the astronaut said.

Continued below.

NASA astronaut talks being stranded in space for 9 months: 'God was there, even in darkest moments'

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore said his faith in Jesus was key to his enduring the experience of being stranded in space for nearly nine months

www.christianpost.com

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It was tremendous to see NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore unashamedly standing for Christ on board the ISS. His promotion of the Gospel was carried live on media outlets around the world. This was obviously from the Lord. May he be blessed in abundance for his steadfastness and may his family and ministry flourish as he gets back to life on earth!

（1995 Modern Hebrew）

We who live on this earth, who live in flesh bodies, will face trials and tribulations, whether or not we believe in Jesus Christ. There will be earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, wars, infestations of various kinds, famine, hunger, deaths of loved ones, illnesses, afflictions, physical defects, economic crashes, poverty, prejudices, abuses, miscarriages of justice, divorces, unfaithful spouses, coups, takeovers of governments, rebellion, violence, and privatized militaries, and the like.

And for those who are following the Lord Jesus Christ with their lives, in walks of obedience to his commands, and in surrender to his will for our lives, who are denying self, dying to sin daily, by the Spirit, and who are no longer living in addictive sin, but who are living holy lives, pleasing to God, in the power of God, we will face spiritual persecution. Especially if we are obeying our Lord in sharing the truth of the gospel with the people of the world, we will be hated, rejected, cast aside, and treated with disdain.

For we live in a day and age when the character of God/Christ, and of his gospel, and of his church, are all being diluted and altered to make them more acceptable and appealing and appeasing to human flesh. “Jesus” has suddenly become very popular here in America, and perhaps in other countries, too. But so many are not teaching the Jesus of the Scriptures, but the Jesus being presented in movies and in TV series and in cartoons and in “Christian” songs and literature, and via the mouths of movie stars.

Therefore, many are adopting an altered Jesus and an altered gospel and an altered “church”, because these altered versions of Christianity are more widely accepted, less offensive to human flesh, and do not demand death to sin and walks of obedience to our Lord as requirements of biblical faith which comes from God, is gifted to us by God, and which is persuaded of God. But Jesus died that we might die with him to sin and be raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin but to righteousness.

And if that is the truth that you are believing, and that you are sharing with others, i.e. that faith in Jesus requires death to sin and walks of obedience to our Lord’s commands, then your faith in Jesus Christ is going to be tested, because our enemy Satan will be after you to try to break you and to get you to cease speaking the truth. And he will send his messengers against you to try to get you to fold, and to quit, and to give up the fight. But we are to remain steadfast under trial, for this will work God’s will in our lives.

For trials are for our good, to test us, and to strengthen us, to teach us perseverance, and to get us to rely on the Lord and not on ourselves, and to draw us closer to our Lord in walks of fellowship with him in holy living, in doing what pleases him. They also prepare us for worse days ahead when the persecutions and the trials will increase in severity. And they help to make us strong so that we can stand against the lies and the opposing forces and remain steadfast in faith and in practice, for the glory of God.

And in the end, when our Lord returns for his faithful ones, to take us to be with him for eternity, we will receive the crown of life, which God promised to those who love him. And those who love God obey him. If we do not obey him, in practice, but sin is our practice, instead, we do not love him, we do not know him, we are not born of God, and we are not in fellowship with God. And if we claim to know him and to be in fellowship with him, we lie. Therefore, heaven will not be our destiny unless we repent and obey God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; 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 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

How Long Till the Morning

Scripture: I Thessalonians 4:17
By C. E. Couchman

Consider the mornings of this mortal land,
Each a new beginning from the Maker’s hand.
While the storms may gather ‘gainst the evening sky,
The day breaks cloudless in the morning.

Rise up to the battle, for the skies dawn clear.
Let us gather courage while the foe draws near.
Though the night falls weary, saints of God, march on!
And He’ll raise our banner in the morning.

When the trumpet sounds to signal Heaven’s day,
Resurrection Morning when the dead shall wake,
What a glorious gath’ring when the Lord descends
And we rise to meet him in the morning.

How long, my Lord? Till we see the morning?
How long, O, my Lord, till we see your face?
O my Lord, guide us through our troubles
Till we rise above them in the morning.

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The Testing of Our Faith
An Original Work / March 23, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love