• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

For The Greater Progress of The Gospel

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14 NASB1995)

Here I am going to share my testimony which parallels Paul’s testimony. It is a testimony I have shared before, only this is not a copy-paste. I am writing this fresh today as I am being led of the Lord this morning in what to say.

I believed in Jesus Christ at the age of 7. I am now 75 years old. I began teaching the Scriptures at the age of 16. I taught children, youth, and then mostly women in small group Bible studies. And then my husband and I had a ministry to college students and to college-age adults out of our home for 7.5 years. And I did some of the teaching there. Six years into this ministry the Lord called me to an additional ministry, to write down what he was teaching me from his word and to post these writings on the internet.

But here’s the background behind this. Throughout my life I have faced a lot of mistreatment from pastors and elders of churches, and from other Christians, but not for doing what was wrong, but for obeying God in doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, according to his word. In the first case I was judged falsely and unjustly because of my walk of faith in obedience to my Lord by those whose walk of faith was rather self-serving, at times, or it was more casual and not taken as seriously as what I took my walk of faith.

And then I had a pastor who asked of me to ask of our ministry team about replacing our worship team with another team. So I did what he said. So we met with him, as a group, but he did the non-denial denial thing by saying, “I would never do that.” So I asked him why he then asked me to ask this of our leadership team, but he responded the same. Then I was called to meet with the elders, but they required that I admit that I lied, as a prerequisite to the meeting. But I did not lie. And so they put me on church discipline.

In another case, I was in a small group ladies Bible study. But there were some immoral and ungodly situations going on within the church, and so I offered the women some biblical and godly counsel in that matter. But then I was reported to the pastor who then sent me a threatening letter telling me that I was banned from the church property and that I would be arrested if I stepped foot on the property. But he was one of those pastors who was following the wrong people, and not the Scriptures taught in their context.

In yet another church situation I was with a friend in a small women’s group for the hurting. And I was one of the hurting, as was she. She was very timid and so she asked for my help to be able to share in the group what she wanted to share, and so I did as she requested. But then I got accused falsely of being a bully of some sort, and the leaders would not even listen to my case, and one of the pastors accused me falsely of intentions that were not mine, and he would not listen, even though my tears were streaming.

Also, a fellow Christian and his wife came to my house and he blasted me because I was testing the spirits, as I ought, and because I was sharing on Facebook the deceptions I was finding in the writings of certain people, exposing them for what they were, as I ought to do. For he was a fan of those authors. So he yelled at me in front of my husband, and he told me that I needed to be in the majority, and not in the minority, for he said that the majority is right, and the minority is wrong. He got that one wrong.

In another situation my husband and I were training to be church planters. I was asked by our church denomination’s local heads to speak about our ministry to a large gathering of pastors and official workers in this church denomination. So I shared what the Lord put on my heart to share, which was fully biblical, and which supported what the other speakers were saying, only to be accused falsely of not hearing from God, but with absolutely no basis for their accusation other than just their personal opinions.

But because of their rejections of me, and their mistreatments of me, God then called me to the internet, to be a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord.” That was 21 years ago, and by the grace of God I have been faithful in his service ever since then, now writing down what he teaches me from his word each day, and posting these writings on the internet, “so that a herald may run with it” (Habakkuk 2:2). And this has, indeed, turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.

Should I Not Preach Jesus

Based off 1 Corinthians 9:16-10:13
An Original Work / July 4, 2013
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


Woe to me should I not preach Jesus.
I’m compelled to preach the full gospel.
I make myself a slave to ev’ryone
To win their hearts to Christ.
All this I do for my Lord Jesus,
And for the sake of His Name;
Do it for the sake of His gospel,
So that I, its blessings gain.

Scripture notates the sins of others;
Written down for us as examples
To keep us from setting our hearts
On evil as did those of old.
Do not worship other gods of man;
Do not give your hearts to them;
Not partake in immorality.
Do not test your Lord and King.

So, be careful if you think you are
Standing firm in your faith in Jesus.
God has given his word to warn us,
So through faith we will not fall.
No temptation has o’ertaken you
Except what is commonplace.
God is faithful to not let you be
Tempted past what you can bear.
He gives the way of escape.

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For The Greater Progress of The Gospel
An Original Work / July 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Minnesota County law enforcement team seizes nearly 900 pounds of meth in Minneapolis

The enforcement targeted drug trafficking rings, Dan Bongino, the FBI’s deputy director, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. “We’re finding them and crushing their operations,” he wrote and thanked Drug Enforcement Administration “partners for their coordination.”


The cartels and gangs gained a solid foothold during the Biden administration and are not going to go down easy.

To The Saints in Christ Jesus

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-8 NASB1995)

Who are the saints in Christ Jesus? A saint is one who is holy (morally pure, consecrated to God, different from the world because becoming like Jesus). And how does one become a saint? By faith in Jesus Christ 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 now as slaves to God and to his righteousness. Sin is no longer what we practice, but obedience to God and to his commands is what we practice, by his grace, and in his power.

And what is the gospel? It is that Jesus Christ, God the Son, came to earth, was born as a human baby, but without sin, grew to manhood, and was hated by many who put him to death on a cross. But in his death on that cross he put our sins to death with him so that, by God-persuaded faith in Jesus, we might now die with him to sin and walk with him in obedience to his commands, in holy living, free from our slavery to sin, and free to serve the Lord Jesus with our lives, according to his will and purpose for our lives.

And that is what it means to participate in the gospel, too. And the Greek word for this is koinónia, which means fellowship, communion, sharing, participation and partnership, which involves our cooperation with God and with his work of grace in our lives. He provides the way for us to be saved from our sins and to have the hope of heaven when we die, but then we must participate with him in this work of grace by dying to sin and living to God in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living, in his power.

And Paul’s confidence that Christ, who began a good work in the lives of the believers in Christ, would perfect that work until the day of Christ Jesus (of his return), was based on all of the above. They were those who had died with Christ to sin and who were now walking with Jesus in obedience to his commands in holy living. They were those who were no longer living for the sinful pleasures of the flesh. But in obedience to the Lord, they were growing and maturing in their walks of faith and in their surrender to the will of God.

So, what is this grace of which they were all partakers? It is not the kind of grace which is so popularized today which becomes a free license to continue living in sin without feelings of guilt and without punishment. For the grace of God, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return. For 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; Ephesians 2:8-10)

And then, what was Paul’s prayer for them?

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 NASB1995)

This is what the life of a Christian should look like. And this is not saying that we will be absolutely perfect always in everything that we do. And “the love” this is talking about is not human love, but agape love which comes from God and which prefers all that God prefers – holiness, righteousness, truth, obedience to God, faithfulness, moral purity and uprightness. For to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ involves us daily walking in obedience to our Lord, no longer as slaves to sin, but as servants of Christ.

[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]

My Sheep

Based off John 10:1-30 NIV
An Original Work / June 24, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


My sheep hear me. They know me.
They listen to my voice and obey.
I call them and lead them.
They know my voice, so they follow me.
They will never follow strangers.
They will run away from them.
The voice of a stranger they know not;
They do not follow him.

So, I tell you the truth that
I am the gate, so you enter in.
Whoever does enter
Will find forgiveness and will be saved.
Nonetheless whoever enters
Not by the gate; other way,
He is the thief and a robber.
Listen not, the sheep to him.

Oh, I am the Good Shepherd,
Who laid his own life down for the sheep.
I know them. They know me.
They will live with me eternally.
The thief only comes to steal and
Kill and to destroy the church.
I have come to give you life that
You may have it to the full…

They know my voice, so they follow me.

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To The Saints in Christ Jesus
An Original Work / July 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Podcast on Christian Art/ Filmmaking (Also Addresses Calvinism and How Christians Should View Transhumanism )

Hi...I hope its okay to post this here. I recently made a film based on various books of the Bible....viewed through the lens of Calvinism. Here is a Podcast (posted yesterday) where me and my collaborator Celeste are interviewed about the theology of the film. If anyone is interested the full conversation can be viewed on Youtube (here- Login to view embedded media

And following up on that....Im looking for Christian Podcasts and Film Review Sites that would be willing to review and/or discuss this film (entitled "John Calvin and Other Excerpts From the King James Bible"). The film is available to purchase here - White Gardenia's John Calvin - LE Blu-ray | Bizarre Theater Releasing .......but anyone who wants to review it can reply to this thread or message me (or email me at whitegardenia1955@gmail.com ) and I will send you an online screener which will allow you to view the film. Note: the film does contain some violence and elements of horror, but nothing that would be too different from the content in the "Passion of the Christ" or in the BIble for that matter. Some additional info on the film is available here- White Gardenia- John Calvin and Other Excerpts From The King James Bible (2025)

Hello Everyone, Grateful to Be Here

Hi everyone! I’m excited (and a little nervous) to be here. I’ve been learning to quiet distractions and focus more on God lately, and I’m grateful for a place like this to grow and connect with others who love Jesus.

A little about me: I love quiet mornings with coffee and the Word, walks outside to clear my mind, and finding small ways to serve others. God’s been teaching me a lot about trust this year, especially Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” It’s been keeping me grounded.

Looking forward to learning with you all and encouraging each other here. How do you all like to start your mornings with God?

They Had No Idea What Was Coming

YouTube Channel Video Devo
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“They Had No Idea What Was Coming”
Matthew 26:31-35 NIV
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Recently my wife and I have been watching the beginning of Season 5 of “The Chosen”. The scene of the Last Supper really sticks out in my mind. Jesus is trying to verbally prepare them for what is to come. Peter speaks out and so do the others that they would never deny Christ. They all have a look of shock on their faces when Jesus says this. Peter especially does and says that even if he would have to die because of Jesus, he would not deny.

All these men literally have no idea what is about to happen. Jesus is trying so hard to prepare them and give them the tools they need to move forward, but they just look at Him and are confused. They just don’t get it. No matter how much He tries to explain and prepare them, they are just left in confusion. It’s been really neat watching this unfold on the screen as I am a very visual learner.

They were all for sure nothing would stand in the way of following Jesus, no matter what. But again, they had no idea what was coming. So often in life, we also have no idea what is coming to us. We are for sure that we will be faithful and stand strong for Jesus no matter the situation. We “hope” we would be strong enough, but would we really? Just something for us to consider in situations we find ourselves going through where the tension is high and our reputation is on the line. Will we be brave enough to stand up and be strong in what we believe?

This devotional is an opportunity for us all to take this in and meditate. Consider your life and opportunities that have come up and may come up. Whatever situations may arise, will you and I be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in? Chances are, most of us will never have the experience of our lives being ended because of our faith, but if it does come to that, what will we do? Will we be faithful in our devotion no matter what?

Trump announces 50 percent tariff on Brazil, citing Bolsonaro trial

“The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace,” Trump wrote Wednesday in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

"Last year, the U.S. trade surplus with Brazil reached $6.8 billion."

The Brazilian government is holding a former presdient accoutnable for his actions. Apparently, that's too much for Donald Trump to swallow.

Isaiah 1

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
The Wickedness of Judah
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;
for the LORD has spoken:
“Children have I reared and brought up,
but they have rebelled against me.
The ox knows its owner,
and the donkey its master’s crib,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
Ah, sinful nation,
a people laden with iniquity,
offspring of evildoers,
children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken the LORD,
they have despised the Holy One of Israel,
they are utterly estranged.
Why will you still be struck down?
Why will you continue to rebel?
The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot even to the head,
there is no soundness in it,
but bruises and sores
and raw wounds;
they are not pressed out or bound up
or softened with oil.
Your country lies desolate;
your cities are burned with fire;
in your very presence
foreigners devour your land;
it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.
And the daughter of Zion is left
like a booth in a vineyard,
like a lodge in a cucumber field,
like a besieged city.
If the LORD of hosts
had not left us a few survivors,
we should have been like Sodom,
and become like Gomorrah.
Hear the word of the LORD,
you rulers of Sodom!
Give ear to the teaching of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the LORD;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of well-fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.
“When you come to appear before me,
who has required of you
this trampling of my courts?
Bring no more vain offerings;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—
I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
Your new moons and your appointed feasts
my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
The Unfaithful City
How the faithful city
has become a harlot,
she who was full of justice!
Righteousness lodged in her,
but now murderers.
Your silver has become dross,
your best wine mixed with water.
Your princes are rebels
and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe
and runs after gifts.
They do not bring justice to the fatherless,
and the widow’s cause does not come to them.
Therefore the Lord declares,
the LORD of hosts,
the Mighty One of Israel:
“Ah, I will get relief from my enemies
and avenge myself on my foes.
I will turn my hand against you
and will smelt away your dross as with lye
and remove all your alloy.
And I will restore your judges as at the first,
and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,
the faithful city.”
Zion shall be redeemed by justice,
and those in her who repent, by righteousness.
But rebels and sinners shall be broken together,
and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
For they shall be ashamed of the oaks
that you desired;
and you shall blush for the gardens
that you have chosen.
For you shall be like an oak
whose leaf withers,
and like a garden without water.
And the strong shall become tinder,
and his work a spark,
and both of them shall burn together,
with none to quench them.

Isaiah 1

We must repent, we must fight our own wickedness and resist the devil. We must not let Christianity fall into a state of functional unbelief. How many of say that we believe in this and that but don’t? Perhaps it’s male headship? Perhaps it’s the inerrancy of scripture? The sermon on the mount and Jesus’ teaching on retaliation and adultery in the heart? Are these things real to us? How real? It’s not that we will be perfect, but we need to seek this perfection, we must seek to be more like Christ. This will not save us, doing what’s expected will not save you. Only Christ can save people, nut works are expected.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:17-20

Lets us be the best Christians we can be. We all have our faults, let’s work on them and do what’s expected will God would have us do.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

Arrests made after tire spikes found in LA sabotage attempt against Border Patrol

"During the arrest, one individual assaulted a Border Patrol agent and was subsequently arrested for assaulting federal law enforcement," DHS added. "Our officers are facing a surge in assaults and attacks against them as they put their lives on the line to enforce our nation's laws. Secretary Noem has been clear: If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

This is small stuff compared to what is to come. The radical- Muslim/radical- left coalition will continue to participate in acts of violence against our government.

What's a Christian?

What’s it like to be a Christian?
What’s your purpose? What’s your mission?
Does your faith make any difference
How you live your life with vigilance?

Are you Christian just in status?
Christian life is not your practice?
Worldly pleasures still your purpose?
Faith in Christ is only surface?

Christian only when it suits you?
Follow Jesus not what you do?
Only going through the motions
When you say you have devotions?

Act like Christian when folks watching?
While the Christian life you’re botching?
Live for selfish sinful pleasures?
Not the truth of God you treasure?

Many people, that’s their status,
Do not put their faith in practice.
Think that Christian gets forgiveness
While obedience not their business.

But the truth, the truth of matter,
Many just give empty chatter,
But their lives, they are no different,
For to Christ they are indifferent.

So we need the truth of story,
Jesus Christ in all His glory
Gave His life, from sin to free us,
So we’d live by faith in freedom.

Sin no longer does control us,
Walk by faith in Christ, with purpose.
Obey God and His commandments,
Live for Jesus, our advancement.

An Original Work / July 9, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Anyone in Tokyo? Sharing the Love and Need of Christ in Tokyo

Sharing the love and need of Christ in Tokyo is no easy task. But is it really that different from back home in New Zealand? Even there, I know many believers who struggle to share Christ’s love with their neighbors.

It takes courage—and a deep, driving desire—to speak of the greatness and kindness of Yahweh.

In Japan, the challenge is often not that people haven’t heard of Christianity or Jesus. It’s that they don’t know Him. When I meet new students, I often ask, “Who is Jesus?” About half of them respond, “The Son of God.” But when I ask if they know Him as Savior, most say no.

There’s a disconnect. Many Japanese view Christianity as just another religious system—something external and ritualistic, much like the temples they already know. They’ve seen Christian movies, or visited churches in Japan, and some walk away confused: “Why do people sit in a box at the back? Why the costumes? Why all the ceremony?” To them, it feels just like what they’ve already experienced—wood, gold, and tradition—but with different words.

I gently explain that this is not what Yahweh desires. He doesn't ask us to sit in a dark box and confess to a person. He invites us to come to Him directly, from our homes, from our hearts. No show. Just faith. Just trust.

I encourage my students to read the Bible—not as a religious duty, but as a way to get to know the living God. I tell them: if you keep reading the Bible, eventually, the Bible starts reading you. It shows you who you really are, and who God really is.

And once that happens—once someone starts to truly see the distance between themselves and God—they begin to seek the One who can bridge that gap. Not with ceremonies or rituals, but with truth, grace, and love. God begins to change the mindset. He opens the heart. And that heart begins to hunger for its Creator.

I’d love to hear how others are approaching this in different parts of the world.

Ministers of The Gospel

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:7-12 ESV)

We who are followers of Jesus Christ today are all to be ministers of the gospel of our salvation who are taking the true message of the gospel to the people of the world. And some of us may identify with Paul in that we realize that God did not call us because of our greatness, or because we had always lived a perfect life, but because of his grace to us in putting our sins to death with him on that cross so that we can now, by faith in him, die with him to sin and now walk in obedience to his commands in surrender to his will.

He can use us as his ministers of the gospel because of what he did for us on that cross, and because we believed in him, and so we died with him to sin. And by his grace, and in his power and wisdom, we are now able to live holy lives, pleasing to him. So he gets all the glory, not us. For if it is coming from us, and not from God, then it is not of God, and therefore it may not be the truth which we are sharing. We have to be led of the Spirit in what to say, and we need to make sure we are speaking the truth, and not the lies.

And the truth is written down for us in the Scriptures, but we have to be students of the Scriptures who study them in their appropriate context and who are not teaching just what we have heard from other humans, some of whom may not be teaching the truth. For many people today are teaching the Scriptures out of context, and they are twisting them to teach what is not of God, and many people are listening to them and believing them without studying the Scriptures themselves to learn what is truth.

So, what is the truth of the Scriptures which we are to be sharing with the people of the world, as ministers of the gospel of our salvation?

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).

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).

The grace of God, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return. For 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.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (See Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:8-10)

And we learn in 1 John 1:6-7: “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” And in 1 John 2:4-5: “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.”

And in 1 John 3:7-8,10: “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” So we need to 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]

For Our Nation

Professionally recorded in Nashville, TN
Via Gerry Peters, music producer and arranger
An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Ministers of The Gospel
An Original Work / July 9, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Greetings from Mexicali Mexico — Seeking Fellowship and Honest Christian Conversation

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,


My name is Ernesto, and I’m writing from Mexicali, Mexico. I’ve been walking with the Lord for many years and recently felt the need to find a safe, sincere Christian community to share thoughts, grow spiritually, and fellowship online. I am also a Christian Musician and composer.


I’ve worked for over 35 years in the manufacturing industry and have a background in engineering. But more importantly, I’m a husband, a father, and a grandfather who believes in the transforming power of God’s love and grace.


Unfortunately, I’ve had some bad experiences on social media — too many fake accounts, and dishonest people. I’m thankful to have found this forum and hope to connect with others who truly seek Christ, truth, encouragement, and honest discussion.


I enjoy talking about faith, Scripture, family, Christian music and life’s everyday blessings and challenges. If you feel led to say hello, I’d love to hear from you.


God bless you all,
Ernesto

Candace Cameron Bure opens up about marital struggles, the 45-minute sermon that saved it

Candace Cameron Bure is opening up about a difficult period in her marriage to husband Valeri Bure, and how their son played a key role in helping them through it.

The 49-year-old actress discussed the rough patch on the July 8 episode of her podcast, "The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast," revealing she once feared her marriage might not survive.

“Val and I went through a really, really rough season in our marriage. And we were like, ‘I don’t know, don’t think ... we’re gonna make it through,’” she said.

Bure said their middle child, Lev, ended up playing a crucial part in helping them reconnect.

“At one point, Lev preached, like, a 45-minute sermon on marriage to us. Just had his Bible open on the couch and just talked about it,” she said.

The actress, author and producer recalled Lev’s words during that conversation.

Continued below.

Megachurch pastor recalls escaping flood with family along Guadalupe River

Megachurch Pastor Michael Oakes is counting his blessings after he and his entire family escaped flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas last Friday, which has claimed the lives of well over 100 people in the state's Hill Country region.

Oakes, the outreach minister for Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, where bestselling author Max Lucado serves as a teaching pastor, shared on social media how he and his family traveled to their Hunt river home to relax for the Independence Day weekend. But rain and flooding quickly turned their trip into a nightmare early Friday morning.

"We went to bed Thursday night to light rain. Heavy storms woke me about 1 a.m. and by 2 a.m. water was flooding our dining room. Our Hunt river house is across Hwy 39 from the Guadalupe, just up from the River Inn, probably 200 feet from the river and 15 feet above the normal riverbank," Oakes explained in a post on Instagram.

Continued below.

10 charged with violent ambush of ICE agents in Texas; director slams 'politically-motivated rhetoric'

Ten individuals have been charged for attacking a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas, with another suspect still at large.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested the 10 people who were involved in an armed attack on the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado last Friday, ICE announced Tuesday.

Prosecutors say the attackers donned tactical gear with weapons and wounded a local police officer during the assault. The wounded law enforcer is expected to recover.

Each suspect is facing multiple charges, including terrorism, aggravated assault on a public servant with a deadly weapon, or aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer.

Continued below.

Randall County (TX) party chair charged with felony election fraud

The chair of the Randall County Republican Party was booked into jail Monday on a state felony election fraud charge.

Kelly Kenten Giles, 64, is accused of providing false information on his application and petition to run for the Randall County Republican Party Chair seat in December 2023 for a spot on the 2024 primary ballot, according to the grand jury indictment signed late last month. It is unclear what about his application or petition was considered fraudulent.

The offense is typically classified as a misdemeanor, but because Giles is accused of doing it while serving as an elected official, it becomes a felony.

Giles' arrest comes after years of Texas Republicans cracking down on election integrity in the years that follow the 2020 election, despite no such evidence of widespread fraud. This crackdown escalated days ago when a former Democratic state House candidate was indicted alongside nine others for alleged vote harvesting in South Texas.

[That latter event seems connected with this: see also]

Fmr. Archbishop of Wales laments heavy drinking culture in church, choir and clergy playing ‘7 shots of Christ’ in pub: report

The former Archbishop of Wales has expressed regret over a “drinking culture” within his diocese after reports surfaced that priests and choir members took part in a “seven last shots of Christ” game at a pub following a Good Friday concert. Andrew John, who retired suddenly late last month, said the revelations were “a shock” and described the behavior as saddening and inappropriate.

John announced his immediate retirement on June 27, days after the Representative Body of the Church in Wales met in Cardiff and called for a change in leadership, procedures and governance in the Diocese of Bangor, according to Church Times.

Former choristers described a pattern of excessive alcohol use tied to religious events at Bangor Cathedral, including drinking during Sunday services and after concerts.

Continued below.

NT Wright refutes claim that early Christians expected immediate End Times

New Testament scholar N.T. Wright recently pushed back on the assumption that Jesus and the apostle Paul expected the world to end within a generation, saying their primary focus was the coming destruction of Jerusalem, not the final return of Christ.

“I think that Paul was aware, like all early Christians, because Jesus had said so, that Jerusalem would be destroyed within a generation of Jesus’ own time,” Wright said during a recent episode of his “Ask N.T. Wright Anything” podcast.

“That’s a major theme in Matthew, Mark and Luke. It’s hinted at elsewhere. And I think it’s hinted at, for instance, in the Thessalonian correspondence in Paul and also in First Corinthians Seven, when he talks about the appointed time being constrained.”

Continued below.

Perspective

When Jesus called the Syrophoeinician woman a dog he wasn't just making that up, he was talking plain and she was no more worse than any of us. But when she didn't argue but made her plea in that context, she was infact accepting the Word and thereby putting all her flaws (sins) on him.
If we hope to also accept the Word we've got no argument or fussing coming. We will accept the Word no matter how it cuts.

Baylor U prof. doubles down on LGBTQ+ inclusion grant, alleges ‘far-right media’ attack

An English professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, who has drawn scrutiny for previous public comments regarding gender and sexuality, expressed support this week for the school’s recent $643,000 grant to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in churches.

Professor Greg Garrett, who serves as the school’s Carole Ann McDaniel Hanks Chair of Literature & Culture and teaches theology classes, also claimed conservative media have been attacking him for obeying Jesus by affirming homosexuality and transgenderism.

“When the far right media comes for me, my colleagues, or [Baylor]? I can only say: I serve the Jesus who said ‘If you’ve loved the least of these, you’ve loved me.’ Grateful for this grant that will help us love better,” Garrett tweeted Monday, linking to an article from The Christian Post.

Continued below.

Can ChatGPT interpret speaking in tongues?

Can ChatGPT interpret speaking in tongues?

Shawn Bolz, who was recently accused of fabricating prophecies in his ministry, recently shared that it appears OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, can translate speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia.

In a recent discussion about God and technology shared on YouTube, Bolz highlighted what is being called the “ChatGPT Tongues Challenge,” which a number of Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians have been engaging in online.

“This week, one of my friends reached out to me who's also a journalist and a writer, and she said, ‘Have you done the ChatGPT tongues thing yet?’ And I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ She goes, ‘I spoke in my prayer language on ChatGPT and it actually interpreted some of my prayer language in different languages around the world,’” Bolz said.

Continued below.

New belief among teenagers. What do you think?

Good morning, what do you think about the rather disturbing belief that's currently trending among young people on platforms like Tumblr, TikTok, and Reddit, in which members believe they are animals and record themselves walking on all fours on TikTok?

They call themselves Therians, and they truly believe they are animals, most often dogs, cats, or other popular mammals. Many of them believe they have "species dysphoria" and that their souls are not human souls but animal souls. I even heard of a case of a teenager who wanted to rip off her skin because she felt she was a dog, and dogs have fur.

Am I the only one who finds this a bit terrifying? Not to mention the large number of children and teenagers who follow this trend. Even ten-year-olds are posting about it on TikTok and even creating special masks to sell on platforms like Vinted or Etsy. I've even seen adults walking on all fours in the mall or barking at strangers or howling.

-Marlena Telep.

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