John 3:16 – Page 7 – Media 4 Life Ministries

Law Breakers

I see many people texting and talking on their phones while driving. Although there is a law in California against texting while driving and talking on the phone without a hands free device, many choose not to obey that law.

Doing so is distracting people and many accidents have occurred, some of them fatal. There is also a law against drinking and driving, but many choose not to obey that law. Many innocent people have been hurt or killed because of the disobedience of some. People are breaking the law of the land everyday. I am not excluded, not always keeping the speed limit of 65 mph on the freeways for example. There is a law against using the car pool lanes for single drivers, yet some choose not to obey that law.

People that break the law are called law breakers. There are consequences for breaking the law, a fine and in some case jail time. The governing authorities will persecute law breakers and a just judge will not let a person go unpunished for breaking the law. It make me wonder, if people cannot obey laws set by men, how can they possibly obey the laws given by God? People are breaking God’s laws every single day. Just as we have laws given by the governing authorities, so has God given us laws to live by. The Ten Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. They set the standard of God’s law by which men will be judged.

Many today argue that the Ten Commandments are outdated and do not apply to today’s modern society. I tend to disagree with that and I believe that God’s laws are perfect. The Ten Commandments can be grouped in two categories. The first four, man’s relationship to God. The remaining six, man’s relationship to the community. By these Ten Commandments, true theology and true worship, the name of God and the Sabbath, family, honor, life, marriage and property, truth and virtue are well protected. Many people when asked if they are a good person would answer, “Yes I am a good person”. Just as the self-righteous religious leadership of Jesus’ day thought that they were good and obeyed the law of God.

Jesus proved them wrong, they boasted about keeping the law perfectly. Jesus showed them how God looks at the law versus how man looks at the law. Jesus actually put a much higher standard on the law. Pointing to man’s heart rather than the outward appearance of keeping the law. Jesus said:“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Mat 5:17, 18.

Jesus fulfilled the law and kept it perfectly, He was without sin and He showed the Pharisees of His day what the law really meant. The Pharisees thought themselves to be righteous and perfect before God, but their supposed righteousness was nothing more than self-righteousness and pride. “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mat 5:20

The religious leadership thought they obeyed the law and thus were ok with God. Jesus pointed them to the last six commandments. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” The religious leadership answered Jesus by saying that they never murdered anybody. Jesus went on to say: “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” Mat 5:22.

Jesus was saying that if someone hates another person, that they have already committed murder in their heart. The Jews of the time hated for example the Gentiles. The Samaratian or any others that were not of Jewish descend were hated. The idea was that God created the Gentiles for heating up Hell fire. Jesus went on to say: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.” Mat 5:27.

Again, the leadership answered, “we never slept with another women, we have not committed adultery.” Jesus: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mat 5:28. Again, Jesus points to the heart of man. They may not had any adulterous relations but they by just lusting after a woman, committed adultery in their hearts. Jesus went on with some other examples, showing them that it is a heart issue and that they all had broken the law. So even today many call themselves good from an outward perspective, not considering that God looks at the heart. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Mat 15:19.
If people cannot obey simple laws like not texting and talking on the phone while driving, how can they think that they are ok with God when their day of judgment will come? None of us can keep the law perfectly. Christ has set the believers free from the law that was a tutor to bring us to Christ. He did what we could not do for ourselves. As believers we are forgiven of all transgressions by the shedding of His blood on the cross. He died for the sin of the world. By receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith, keeps the believers from the wrath of God that will come upon all law breakers. If you are not a believer and you either think that God does not exist or that you can defend yourself on the day of judgment, please think again.

A just judge must judge just and fair and cannot allow lawbreakers to go free. A price/fine needs to be rendered. Jesus paid that fine. He took the punishment of our transgressions. By believing and asking for forgiveness, a person is declared justified before God. Not only that, God also imputed the righteousness of Christ on every true believer. Think of what will happen when the day of judgment comes and God declares you guilty and the punishment is eternal separation from God. “Why did I refuse to believe”? God loves every person, but He cannot allow sin in His kingdom. Jesus cleanses a person from all sin and unrighteousness. God does not want anybody to perish but have eternal life and come to the knowledge of the truth. It is a choice that every single person has to make. God does not force Himself on anybody. He has given every man a free will to choose.

Those who choose to reject Him will be eternally separated from the presence and blessings of God. Some teach that one day everybody will be saved. If that were true, why did Jesus have to suffer on the cross? Jesus Himself spoke more about Hell than anybody else in the Bible. Hell is a reality. Hell is eternal. The Apostle Paul wrote about what will happen to those who reject Jesus: “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” 2Th 1:9, 10. It can’t get any clearer. Today, if you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, think about it. Learn about Jesus and who He is. He loves you and He wants to have a meaningful relationship with you. Seek Him and you shall find Him. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Palestinians Deserve a State

The reality is that the entire world is crying for the Palestinians to be given a state. I say, “Yes, let’s give them a state.” Now that we are agreed on that though, the first thing we must do is to identify who the real Palestinians are. Neither they nor Palestine are mentioned in the Koran. Why?

A little lesson in history: The etymology of the word “Palestinian” in English is derived from the Old French word “Philistin,” from Late Latin it is “Philistinus,” and from Late Greek, “Philistinoi.” They were not an Arab or a Semitic people, but were more closely related to the ancient Greeks and originated in the Aegean region of Asia Minor. Any student of the Bible knows that the Philistines were enemies of Israel.

In the history of the Philistines is also the story of the young Hebrew man, David, son of Jesse, who was incensed that a Philistine warrior was allowed to challenge the one true God. The enemy of Israel had advanced to the Valley of Elah and there challenged the Israelites. They produced a brobdingnagian (gigantic) champion, Goliath of Gath. David volunteered to fight the giant and went out to face him with his slingshot and five smooth stones he had retrieved from a dry river bed. He slipped one of the stones into his sling and smote the Philistine on the forehead. He used the giant’s own sword to behead him. Jehovah God gave David the courage and skills not only to face Israel’s enemy, but to kill the challenger. The Israelites pursued the Philistines all the way to the city of Ekron.

The Philistines were ultimately defeated, absorbed into the Babylonian/Persian Empire, and by the late fifth century BC, had disappeared.

In 135 BC, Simon bar Kokhba, a Jew, proclaimed himself Prince of Israel, Son of the Star, the Messiah, and led a revolt against the Romans. The Roman governor and two legions of soldiers were defeated. Bar Kokhba controlled the state of Israel from the Fort of Herodium just south of Jerusalem. His coins were inscribed, “Year one—the redemption of Israel.”

The Roman emperor, Hadrian, in response razed 985 villages and killed almost 600,000 Jews. Hadrian wiped Jerusalem and Judea off the map and deliberately renamed the area Palaestinia after the Jews’ ancient enemy, the Philistines.

So, spread the word. Wanted: Non-Arab Philistines. As soon as all these peace-loving nations can prove that Philistines are back, then let’s persuade the Arab League to absorb them as refugees the way Israel did with the Jews and all nations have done. Let them then turn over the territories that have become a nightmare for the Jewish people to the Philistines. You can be certain of one thing: there will probably be some pretty large dudes in the bunch. Goliath was a Philistine, and from what I know about him, he was not what you would call a “happy camper.” I expect life will not be too pleasant for mythological Palestinians when they meet the original Philistines.

To fulfill the reality of a Palestinian state, the world must demand that the vast majority of the land occupied by Arabs in Judea and Samaria be returned to Israel. The people that call themselves “Palestinians” must return to the Arab lands from which they came. Then true Palestinians, the proven descendants of the Philistines, could have their land. Since there are none to be found on this planet, perhaps the next Mars rover will find them. By Dr. Mike Evans

Jesus Christ; The Man Who Changed The World And Divided Time.

Christians around the world believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Who was this Man that Christians 2000 years later regard and worship as the Son of God?

Was He just a mere man who was born over 2000 years ago in a little town named Bethlehem and was nothing more than a historical figure? What does set Jesus apart from so many that came before Him that claimed to be the Messiah? Maybe He was just another one of those delusional people with a Messiah complex.

Is He the Savior of the world as God had promised long ago and prophesied through His prophets? Jesus did not just come on to the scene out of nowhere. He came to the exact appointed time that God had determined before the foundation of the world. Jesus was the only One that ever qualified to be the true Messiah. There are over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Messiah. They were all fulfilled in Christ Jesus . Here are just some of OT prophesies and the NT fulfillment of them:

The Son of God, Ps 2:7 Luk 1:32, 35.

The seed of the woman: Gen 3:15 Gal 4:4.

Seed of Abraham, Gen 17:7, 22:18 Gal 3:16.

Seed of Isaac: Gen 21:12 Heb 11:17-19.

Seed of David, Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5 Acts 13:23 Rom 1:3.

Coming at the appointed time: Gen 49:10 Dan 9:24, 25 Lk 2:1.

Born of a virgin: Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23 Lk 2:7.

Called Immanuel (God with us): Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23.

Born in Bethlehem of Judea: Mic 5:2 Mat 2:1 Lk 2:4-6.

Great persons coming to adore Him: Ps 72:10 Mat 2:1-11.

The slaying of the children of Bethlehem: Jer 31:15 Mat 2:16-18.

Called out of Egypt: Hos 11:1 Mat 2:15.

Preceded by John the Baptist: Mal 3:1 Mat 3:1, 3 Lk 1:17.

Anointed with the Spirit: Ps 45:7 Is 11:2, 61:1 Mat 3:16 Jh 3:34 Acts 10:38.

Prophet like to Moses: Deut 18:15-18 Acts 3:20-22.

Priest after the order of Melchizedek: Ps110:4 Heb 5:5, 6.

Entering public ministry: Is 61:1, 2 Lk 4:16-21, 43.

Ministry in Galilee: Is 9:1, 2 Mat 4:12-16, 23.

Entering publicly into Jerusalem: Zec 9:9 Mat 21:1-5.

His coming into the temple: Hag 2:7, 9 Mal 3:1 Mt 21:12 Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16.

His poverty: Is 53:2 Mk 6:3 Lk 9:58.

His meekness: Is 42:2 Mat 12:15, 16, 19.

Tenderness and compassion: Is 40:11 42:3 Mat 12:15, 20 Heb 4:15.

Without guile: Is 53:9 1Pe 2:22.

His zeal: Ps 69:9 Jh 2:17.

Preaching in parables: Ps 78:2 Mat 13:34, 35. Working miracles, Is 35:5, 6 Mat 11:4-6 Jh 11:47

His bearing reproach: Ps 22:6 69:7,9, 20 Rom 15:3.

Rejected by his brethren: Ps 69:8 Is 63:3 Jh 1:11 7:3.

Stone of stumbling to the Jews: Is 8:14 Rom 9:32 1Pe 2:8.

Hated by the Jews: Ps 69:4 Is 49:7 Jh 15:24, 25.

Rejected by the Jewish rulers: Ps 118:22 Mat 21:42 Jhn 7:48.

Jews and Gentiles combine against Him: Ps 2:1, 2 Lk 23:12 Acts 4:27.

Betrayed by a friend: Ps 41:9 55:12-14 Jhn 13:18, 21

Disciples forsake Him: Zec 13:7 Mat 26:31, 56.

Sold for thirty pieces silver: Zec 11:12 Mat 26:15.

His price being given for the potter’s field: Zec 11:13 Mat 27:7.

Agony of his sufferings: Ps 22:14, 15 Lk 22:42, 44.

Sufferings for others: Is 53:4-6, 12 Dan 9:26 Mat 20:28.

Patience and silence under suffering: Is 53:7 Mat 26:63 27:12-14.

Smitten on the cheek: Mic 5:1 Mat 27:30.

Visage being marred: Is 52:14 53:3 Jhn 19:5.

Spit on and scourged: Is 50:6 Mk 14:65 Jhn 19:1.

Hands and feet being nailed to the cross: Ps 22:16 Jhn 19:18 20:25.

Forsaken by God: Ps 22:1 Mat 27:46.

Being mocked: Ps 22:7, 8 Mat 27:39-44.

Gall and vinegar being given Him to drink: Ps 69:21 Mat 27:34.

Garments being parted, and lots cast for His clothing: Ps 22:18 Mat 27:35.

Numbered with the transgressors: Is 53:12 Mk 15:28.

Intercession for His murderers: Is 53:12 Lk 23:34.

His Death: Is 53:12 Mat 27:50.

No bones would be broken: Ex12:46 Ps 34:20 Jhn 19:33, 36.

Pierced: Zec 12:10 Jhn 19:34, 37.

Buried with the rich: Is 53:9 Mat 27:57-60.

Flesh not seeing corruption: Ps 16:10 Acts 2:31.

His resurrection: Ps 16:10 Is 26:19 Lk 24:6, 31, 34.

His ascension: Ps 68:18 Lk 24:51 Acts 1:9.

Sitting on the right hand of God: Ps 110:1 Heb 1:3.

Exercising the priestly office in heaven: Zec 6:13 Rom 8:34.

The chief cornerstone: Is 28:16 1Pe 2:6, 7.

King in Zion: Ps 2:6 Lk 1:32 Jhn 18:33-37.

Conversion of the Gentiles to Him: Is11:10 42:1 Mat 1:17, 21 Jhn 10:16 Acts 10:45, 47.

His righteous government: Ps 45:6, 7 Jhn 5:30 Rev 19:11.

Universal dominion: Ps 72:8 Dan 7:14 Phl 2:9, 11.

Perpetuity of His kingdom: Is 9:7 Dan 7:14 Lk 1:32, 33.

Jesus was and is more than just a mere man. He is truly the Son of God who took away the sin of the world and nailed them to the cross. He rose from the dead, thus He overcame death and defeated Satan. He is the light of the world and He gives eternal life to those who by faith believe and trust in Him as Lord and Savior. He did not just live and died, He divided time. Because of His birth the calendar changed from BC to AD. The world was never the same again after Christ came and He has transformed many lives throughout the centuries.

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, maybe you have heard about Him, maybe somebody told you about the His birth, His ministry, His crucifixion and that He rose from the dead on the third day. He offers salvation and eternal life to those who repent and believe in Him. This Christmas season, take some time and think, what Christmas is really all about and why Christians celebrate this season. It is not about Santa Claus, gifts, parties etc. It is all about Jesus and the gift of God to mankind.

Jesus came at the appointed time. He died at the appointed time and He rose at the appointed time. His birth has changed the world and it will change you if you let Him. He offers salvation to those who will believe, and they shall not perish but have everlasting life. Salvation is a free gift of God. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, no one can earn salvation or a right standing before God through their good behaviors or good deeds.

Various religions are trying to reach God on their own merit, trying to live a good enough life, and maybe God will let them into heaven. In biblical Christianity, God reaches down to man offering salvation through Jesus Christ and through Him alone. God provided as promised a sacrifice for us, all we need to do is receive Him and open our hearts to him.

I pray wherever you may be in the world regardless of your religious background, to at least take some time to think and reflect on the message that Christians have proclaimed for the last 2000 years. Jesus is truly the Son of God who died and shed His blood for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who by faith call upon Him. God loves you and He does not want you to perish, but you must come to Him by the way that God provided, through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to salvation.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Can man orchestrate his own salvation?

The Bible is very clear about that man cannot save himself. No one can reach God on his own merit or on their own goodness or righteousness. Salvation is a gift of God by His grace through faith. The context of Ezekiel 14 is that Israel had turned to idol worship and God was pronouncing judgment on them. They had become faithless, they did not trust and believe in the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but rather chose to worship man made gods.

“Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD. Eze 14:14

Even if these 3 OT heroes would earnestly pray as intercessor for the nation, even they could not stop the judgment of God against Israel.
The OT teaches that people were saved by faith which accounted to them as righteousness. Abraham was a man of faith who believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. The OT saints believed in the coming Messiah and the promises of God, they looked forward to the cross as we now look back at the finished work of Christ on the cross.

“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Gen 15:6

“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Rom 4:3

“just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Gal 3:6

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

Religions have always tried to reach God, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhist and other religions believe that they can appease God by their works of their righteousness. No one can appease God on his own righteousness. The Bible teaches that there is none that is righteous in the eyes of God.

“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;” Rom 3:10

Mankind is separated from God because of sin, and God has given mankind only one way of being reconciled to Him through His son Jesus Christ who died for the sin of the world. Jesus by shedding His blood on the cross has paid the price for sin and everybody who believes by faith in Him and Hid finished work is forgiven and God does not remember their sins anymore. It is the righteousness of Jesus that is imputed onto the believers and thus the believer is saved, not of works or achieving righteousness before God.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph 2:8, 9

It is because of God’s grace that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace is something we do not deserve, or earned, it is a gift of God because He loves us and He sent His Son to bring us into a right standing with Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Empty Tomb.

Pontius Pilate seemed baffled as Joseph of Arimathea came to him and ask to take away the crucified body of Christ. “What do you want with his dead body?” Pilate ask. “I want to lay the body of Jesus into my own newly carved out tomb” Joseph replied. “But why”? “You are a very old man, and it takes years to carve out another tomb. You may not have enough years left and you are willing to give up your tomb?” “Don’t worry Joseph of Arimathea replied, He only needs it for the weekend”.

Probably not the way the conversation went down on that day of the crucifixion. I believe that Joseph of Arimathea knew in his heart that Christ would rise on the third day as prophesied by Jesus to His disciples. Even if he did not fully comprehend the things that had happened, the ministry and the first coming of Christ and His brutal death on the cross. Something changed him. Joseph had become a believer. Just as Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night, became a follower of Christ, so also Joseph of Arimathea became convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Both Nicodemus and Arimathea who were well-respected Pharisees became born again. The impact of Jesus on their lives transformed these two men. They would never be the same.

Many people had a life changing transformation by meeting Jesus in the past and today. He truly came to save the lost. The apostle Paul is another good example of a radical life transformation. Paul was a former persecutor and hater of the believers and followers of Jesus known as “The Way.” Saul/Paul was a zealous Jew who hated the Christians with a passion, persecuted them to the fullest and arrested many of the early followers of Jesus. He was directly involved with the stoning of Stephen. On the road to Damascus seeking to arrest Christians in that city, he met the risen Christ on the road. This encounter changed him forever. He became a believer and one of the greatest missionary to the gentile world. Paul of course knew about the crucifixion and the death and burial of Christ. He knew about the story that was told about the empty tomb and that Christ had risen. Paul was a changed man and he preached Christ crucified and resurrected. “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1Cr 2:2

Jesus died for the sin of the world, He rose and defeated death to give those who believe in Him forgiveness and eternal life. The Christian faith hinges on the resurrection of Jesus, if the resurrection did not occur, the Christian faith is empty. Paul addresses the death and the resurrection of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15.

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. 1Cr 15:3-5

There were those who denied the resurrection and Paul writes about the importance of the resurrection and what it means to the Christian faith.

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” 1Cr 15:12-17

Christianity without the resurrection is dead. Paul said if Christ was not who He said He is, than we are still in our sins and the most pitiable people. Many unbelievers have tried to disprove the resurrection and failed miserably. They became believers in Christ. Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins? Do you believe that He rose and defeated death to give eternal life to those who believe? Have you ask Him for forgiveness and received Him in your heart?

Jesus is the only way to the Father. He came to die for mankind to reconcile all of those who would believe to give them peace and eternal life. If you have not received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, may I encourage you to look t least into the claims and promises of Jesus made? Don’t just listen to the media or the intellectuals, who think that they have all the answers. Seek Him for yourself. Seek and you will find.
“In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cr 6:2
God does not want anybody to perish. How can you know that God loves you? Just look at the cross and you will know how much God loves you. He loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son for you.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Jesus transformed the lives of Nicodemus, Joseph, Paul and many others throughout the centuries. He wants to do the same for you. Open your heart and ask Him for forgiveness and receive Jesus by faith. He is the only One that can truly transform a person. Not just for a little while but for eternity. He is the way, the truth and the life.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mat 11: 28-30

Human Reasoning or God’s Standard’s?

The “Freedom of Religion Organization” http://www.forf.org a very outspoken Anti-theist group has been lobbying for some time now to have “In God we Trust” removed from our currency. They absolutely see no problem with: “In Reason We Trust which would take away the faith in God and “religion.” They instead like to replace it with a humanistic secular world viewpoint. The believe is that “human reasoning” will set the world free from the oppression that “religion” places on today’s society. Hawkins and other Anti-theist like him i.e. Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens love to proclaim boldly that God does not exist and that He is not needed. They claim religion has suppressed the freedom of the people and is hindering the progress of a new society that is freed from God and religious zealots. They believe that with reasoning and humanist thinking the world will be a better place one day. If we can only silence the “people of faith” then we can all live together in peace and harmony just as John Lennon envisioned it in his song “Imagine”.

What has human philosophy and reason done so far for society? We are living in a world of violence, murder rape, theft, you name it. Society is on a moral decline and if we continue the way progressives are dictating us to go, the moral decline of our nation and the world will grow worse. The progressive movement is not a step forward, but a step back into paganism and heathenism. Who set’s the moral standards? Who will get to decide what is right and what is wrong? God has said: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Do we set moral values from the viewpoint of man or from the viewpoint of God? God has given mankind moral values that cannot be denied and every human has those values written on their hearts, we intuitively know when we are doing something wrong. Our conscience bears witness to the fact. God has given us the 10 commandments, you shall not murder steal, lie, commit adultery, coveting your neighbors goods and so on. These are all good moral values and I believe that not many would disagree with them. However many do not want to obey them, or are trying to get around them with some human philosophy. In their moral world God’s views are obsolete, they agree that murdering somebody is wrong and needs to be punished, they would also agree that stealing and lying is wrong. Humanistic thinkers look on the outside of man, God however looks inside at the heart of man, and it was Jesus that demonstrated to us how God looks at His perfect and moral standards.

Jesus did not abolish the 10 commandments as many like to think, He took them and raised them up a notch. Showing that God does not look at the outside appearance of man but at the heart. Many will say, “I have never murdered anyone.” Jesus said: if you hate your brother, you have already committed murder in your heart. That person may not have murdered anybody physically, but he/she may have hated someone wishing them to be dead. In the eyes of God that is just like murdering someone. From the heart comes all evil thinking, from the heart comes murder, theft, lies and covetousness. It is a heart issue. God declares in Jeremiah: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jer. 17:9.

God declares every human being guilty of sin. The word sin is not very much liked these days, but what the word sin really means is “missed the mark, or “fallen short.” God declares in His word that we have all missed the mark and have fallen short of His glory. Therefore man will make all kinds of excuses for their actions, society is to blame, religion is to blame, politicians are to blame. “If we would just have more tolerance towards one another”. “If we would not be so narrow-minded about things, the world would be a much better place to live in”. Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Mat 7:13, 14.

In my opinion, I rather go the narrow way. I believe that if we let go of God and His perfect standards and rather put our trust in humanity and human reasoning, today’s society will face dire consequences in the future. Every Kingdom or Empire that let go of their moral values in the past has perished. Humanist today want to replace God’s wisdom with a humanistic atheistic philosophy. They simply deny the existence of God and do not acknowledge Him. One day the ultimate Judge will have the last word and no human excuses will ever hold up before the throne of God. Man’s wisdom is foolishness before God. It is never too late to turn and embrace God. Today is the day of salvation. God is waiting patiently and He is longsuffering towards mankind, wanting nobody to perish.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer 29:11

P.S. True Biblical Christianity is not a “religion, but a meaningful loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Eternal Life

Some days I find myself contemplating about life, death and eternity. What is life and what is the purpose of our being here for an appointed time and then we die? Last year my good friend Don passed away and went to be with the Lord. It came suddenly and unexpected and no one was really prepared for it. I just had lunch with him not too long before and we had a great time conversing about many things. He was a good man, a very gentle soul. He always had a smile and a kind words of encouragement to anyone he would meet.

I guess you could say we were the odd couple, he was about 25 years older than me and sometimes people would ask me, is that your Dad? We had an instant bond from the day we met about 6 years ago and our friendship grew stronger year after year. I will miss him a lot and I will always keep him in my heart until I will see him again in heaven.

As believers in Jesus Christ we have the blessed hope of eternal life. We don’t have to fear death. Jesus said: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25. Jesus is the life and all those who believe in him have the promise of eternal life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

That is what sets Christianity apart from all other man made religions, the promise of eternal life through the the Savior Christ Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and He rose on the third day, defeating death. That is the blessed hope Peter spoke off: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5.

This is the blessed hope that the Christian enjoys. Of course we mourn the loss of a loved one. We miss that person, the husband, the wife, the brother the sister or friend. But we as believers don’t have to be sorrowful as those who do not believe and have no hope because of their unbelief.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” 1Th 4:13, 14.

Unfortunately many will reject this truth and call it nonsense. They mock the Christians and call us names. Jesus gave us the reason why so many will not believe and will perish. These are the following verses of John 3:16, which many people leave out:

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:17-20.

Jesus makes it very clear why so many will reject the truth and the free offer of salvation by faith in Him and that they are already condemned because of it. Many people want to live their lives as they please and they do not want to be accountable to anyone. That is their choice and free will which by the way is given by God. One thing is for sure, there is one thing the believer and unbelievers have in common, all of us have to face death at one point. The statistics are not good, one out of one dies. There is not one that has lived forever, no matter how rich or famous that person may be, death has no partiality.

It’s always easy for an Atheist to say, there is no God and that Christians are delusional and worship the flying spaghetti monster. That’s easy to say when someone is still somewhat young and healthy, who writes books, makes it on the media circles and earns a pretty good penny by denying the existence of God. Life takes funny turns and I would like to see that person one day lying on their death-bed facing death. I assure you that they are in fear of death. They may deny it now, but one day every knee shall bow and confess Jesus is Lord. No one will escape death. And those who do not believe, can they say for sure that there is nothing after death? I don’t think so. Can I prove that there is life after death? No, but I do believe God and He cannot lie. I know in my heart that the believers will be with God for eternity, just as my friend Don is now.

That’s why I believe the words of Jesus, that those who believe in Him have eternal life. I will miss Don and his friendship, his wife Beverly will miss him as well as his children, but we all know and are comforted that Don is in a much better place now and one day whenever the Lord decides, we will see him again, that smile and his humor. Thank you Don for your friendship, you have touched many people and I know that you do not want me to be depressed and sad, but to press on and run the race until the Lord calls me home. Farewell my friend.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mat 11:28-30

Choose Jesus today before it is too late because death can come so suddenly. If your are not sure what happens after death, maybe you should consider the words of Jesus. Receive Him now, because you will meet Him one day no matter what. I encourage you to at least learn about Jesus. Pick up the Bible and start with reading the Gospel of John. Seek Him and you shall find Him.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom 10:17.

Has the Church replaced Israel?

“The Holy Scriptures cannot be used to justify the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians, to justify the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands,” Monsignor Cyril Salim Bustros, Greek Melkite archbishop of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Boston Mass., and president of the “Commission for the Message,” said at Saturday’s Vatican press conference. “We Christians cannot speak of the ‘promised land’ as an exclusive right for a privileged Jewish people. This promise was nullified by Christ. There is no longer a chosen people – all men and women of all countries have become the chosen people.”

I believe that the Vatican and the institution of the Roman Catholic Church as well as some other denominational churches are gravely mistaken and have embraced the “replacement theology” and are in the process of abandoning Israel.

Replacement theology also known as supersessionism teaches that the Church has replaced the nation of Israel regarding the plan, purpose, and promises of God. There is no biblical evidence that God has cast Israel aside, quite the opposite is true. God has made an everlasting covenant with Israel, in Genesis God made a covenant with Abraham: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” Gen 17:7

God said everlasting, not just for a certain time period. God promised Abraham that through his offspring all the nation shall be blessed i.e. the promised Messiah would come through the nation of Israel (Gen 3:17) from the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God made another covenant through Abraham’s son Isaac: “Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.” Gen 17:19

The word everlasting appears 100 times in the KJV/NKJV and if God says everlasting it means everlasting i.e. forever. The replacement theology has been around for a long time, but is contradictory to what the Bible teaches. Israel and the Church are two different entities, God has not made a covenant with the Church as He did with the nation of Israel as for example the mosaic law which was conditional and involved works.

The New Testament covenant is unconditional, no works, such as animal sacrifices or the keeping of dietary laws etc. We come through faith not by works. God made an unconditional covenant with Abram in Genesis 15. It was unconditional, God put Abram to sleep and walked among the animals and it was God that upheld the covenant without any works or doings of Abram. Please note, at that time his name was still Abram not Abraham which came later when God promised him that he would be the father of a great nation which were the twelve tribe of Israel.

Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. We as the bride of Christ come through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is His righteousness that is imputed onto every believer. God’s sovereign plan of salvation. We are saved by His grace through faith. It is true and documented in the Bible that Israel disobeyed God many times, which caused them many afflictions, enslaved to Egypt for 400 years, captivity in Babylon for 70 years and much strives and wars with the neighboring nations.

They rejected Jesus as their Messiah at His first coming, which resulted ultimately in the destruction of the temple in 70 AD by Titus and the fall of Jerusalem which caused them to exist as a nation, resulting them to be dispersed all over the world. Because of their rejection of Jesus/Yahshua as Messiah, the Gentile nations became heirs, with that God fulfilled the promise He made to Abraham, that, through him all nations will be blessed: “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,…” Eph 3:1-6

God wanted the nation of Israel to be a shinning light before the pagan nations, He chose them not because they were special people but because He loved them and keeps His promises: “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; “but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; “and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.” Deu 7:7-10

Israel did not keep the commandments, and they even went in to idolatry, something the LORD hates, they failed miserably, despite all this, God has not cast them out or broken His covenant with them. Currently we are in what is called by many the Church age, which began at the time of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the believers. (Acts 2) God is using the Church to preach the gospel of salvation in Christ and Him alone. The Church was chosen by God for a specific time period i.e. Church age, to preach the gospel and reach the lost, the church was grafted in. (Rom 11:17)

The apostle Paul certainly did not believe that Israel was cast out by God, he wrote: “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Rom 11:1-4

God has always preserve a Jewish remnant. One of the biggest evidence of God not breaking His covenant is manifested in the re-birth of the nation of Israel on May 14th 1948. After almost 2000 years of Israel not existing, God brought them back into the land as prophesied by the Prophet Ezekiel in chapter 36. The Jews are back in the land, as one nation/kingdom not two as it was before the dispersion, ( 2 southern tribes Judah and Benjamin and the 10 northern tribes) they speak one common which is Hebrew and the shekel is their currency. Today Israel is one of the most fruitful areas in the Middle East, they are the biggest vegetable and fruit exporters in the region. Israel is on the news daily and Jerusalem with the temple mount has been a sore point to many nations and has become the epicenter of the world. Israel is surrounded by many hostile Islamic nations, and one day the war of Gog and Magog will take place as described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Most scholars believe that at the time of the rapture of the believers in Christ, the church age will end and will usher in a 7 year tribulation period on the earth spoken of in Daniel chapter 9. 70 weeks were determined for Israel, 69 weeks or 483 years or 173880 days have been fulfilled, from the commandment by King Artaxerxes in 445BC to rebuild the walls and Jerusalem and with Jesus riding into Jerusalem April 6 AD 32 as prophesied by Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zech 9:9

The Messiah was cut off as prophesied in Daniel 9 i.e the crucifixion and finished work of Christ upon the cross. This leaves a seven-year/one week period which has not been fulfilled, commonly referred to as Jacobs troubles or the seven years of great tribulation. It is in these seven years of tribulation that God will once again turn to Israel and they will recognize that Jesus is their promised Messiah, and they will embrace Him as such. The tribulation period will be a time of trouble like the world has never seen before or ever will again, God will pour out His wrath upon the unbelieving world and Christ will come again with all the believers, which is the second coming, this time He will come not as a lamb but as the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Christ will judge the nations, and the once who made it through the seven-year tribulation period who did not take the mark of the beast will enter into the millennial reign of Christ here upon the earth. This is the separation of the sheep from the goats.

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” Rev 20:4-6

Many Jews will receive Christ as their Lord and Savior during the great tribulation, many Jews and Gentiles will have to die/martyred, but because they have not worshiped or bowed down to the Antichrist , they will be saved and enter into the kingdom of God and have everlasting life. God has not cast out the Jews, neither has He forgotten them, God keeps His promises, to us as Christians and to His chosen people; Israel. God has always preserved for Himself a remnant.

The Roman Catholic Church is wrong regarding Israel and the Bishops are contradicting what the word of God clearly states. As true followers of Jesus, we must stand with Israel and love them, they may not have yet embraced Yeshuah as Messiah, but in due time God will open their eyes. We should bless them and not cast them aside.

“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Gen 12:3

Judging others

It seems to me that some Christians are quick to attack and judge various ministries and servants of God. Let me say this up front , I strongly believe that we as believers need to speak out against false teachers, heresies, etc. The Bible even exhorts us to expose these false ministers and teachers and those who contradict the word of God and teach others to follow their example. But I see people on social networks and blogs criticizing true servants of God, like for example, Billy Graham. They are quick to point out that Billy Graham said this or he said that. Billy Graham has been a faithful minister and follower of Jesus Christ from his early days as an evangelist. Today in his nineties, he still proclaims Christ when appearing on TV or in public. His son Franklin Graham, carries on the ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Samaritan Purse.

Franklin has been raised by Godly parents and the evidence is shown in their faithful ministry and the compassion and love for the less fortunate and needy of the world. Their love for Christ is evident, exemplified by their world-wide ministry that bears fruit and helps people all over the world in places like Haiti, after the devastating earth quake. None of this would have been possible without Billy Graham and the groundwork he laid. God has blessed his ministry and who are those who criticize him? They point to something that he may have said in an interview or on TV like the Larry King show, something that they may not agree with. Even if at times Billy may have said something that appeared to be compromising to some, I feel they have no grounds to persecute him as bad Christian. How many times have we said something that didn’t come out the way we meant it, or was misunderstood or taken out of context? Some Christians find fault in almost anybody else but themselves, which to me borders on self-righteousness. Who are we to judge another servant of God? Who are we to judge another believer in Christ Jesus? If we judge, do we not do those very things Jesus told us not to do?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Mat 7:1-5

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

How many people have come to the Lord through ministries like Billy Graham’s and others? How many have received the love of Christ and the forgiveness that He gives to those who believe? The Billy Graham crusades have brought thousand upon thousands to Christ. How many have come to Christ by those who love to criticize and judge others? How many have they led to the Lord? I think we all need to reflect sometimes on ourselves. Judging comes very easily to us, it is our human nature. I catch myself from time to time engaging in criticism or judgment, which leads nowhere. We as believers should have love for one another and if some are found in error, we should gently correct them. None of us is perfect, none of us is sinless but we should all be of the same mind and spirit. Those who frequently love to judge others are divisive and cause strive among other believers. The are critical of others, not looking at themselves, they have a spirit of contention and not of love. Therefore, let us not judge one another. Let us walk in love and if some believers are caught up with false teachers or live in a compromised state, let us gently exhort them and show them their error in love, found in the infallible word of God.

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:-12

I think that say’s it all, believers in Christ will not face the great white throne judgment of God, but we will all have to stand before the Bema seat of Christ.

“You Must Be Born Again”

“This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:2, 3

Nicodemus came to Jesus because he knew in his heart that Jesus was someone special, nothing that he had ever seen or heard before. He saw the miracles Jesus performed, he heard Him teach with authority. He knew Jesus was no ordinary man, he saw the glory of God in Him. What did Jesus mean when He said to Nicodemus, “you must be born again?” I’m sure many people have heard Christians use that term, “born again”. What does it mean to be born again? Nicodemus ask Jesus that very question, not clearly understanding what Jesus was talking about. Jesus was talking about a spiritual rebirth.

Every person that is born, is born of the flesh with a sin nature due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden. The result of their disobedience was sin entering the world and sin brought forth death i.e. spiritual death. Mankind was separated from God because of the inherent sin nature that is passed on throughout the generations. The Bible speaks of iniquity and that all were all born in iniquity. What is the definition of iniquity? 1) lack of justice or righteousness; wickedness; injustice. 2) a wicked act; sin. King David wrote about iniquity in the Psalms.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.” Ps 51:5. God also spoke about iniquity when He gave the ten commandments: “…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:5, 6.

This passage makes it pretty clear, that those who hate God and reject Him have a curse upon them, from one generation to another. There is a lot of truth to this, character defects, personality and behaviors get passed on from generation to generation. Many times we hear of people ending up doing the same things previous family generations have done. For example, the son that had an alcoholic father, has a tendency to be an alcoholic himself. The children of a dysfunctional family have the tendency to be dysfunctional themselves when they start a family. People that are born out-of-wedlock, most likely end up doing the same thing, bringing forth children born out-of-wedlock, just as their parent did. Divorces are another example, many children of parents that got divorced end up in divorce themselves. These tendencies get passed on from one generation to another and it is an endless cycle unless that cycle gets broken. The good news is that this generational curse can be broken when a person turns to God. The passage in Exodus states that He will visit the iniquity of people from generation to generation, but only to those who hate Him. “…but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Ex 20:6.

Once a person turns to God, by repentance i.e. change of mind, that person has broken that endless cycle. He or she has becomes a new person, old things have passed away and all things have become new. There are countless testimonies of people who have come to faith in Jesus Christ that had a life transforming experience and not only that, many times other family members will come to faith in Christ because of their radical transformation. I am no exception, I grew up in a non believing family and I inherited many of these iniquities/tendencies. My two grandfathers were alcoholics, my three uncles were alcoholic and I ended up being an alcoholic. I had the tendencies to become an alcoholic and I did. There are many other things that I did. Today I can see certain family members displaying the same behaviors and they have not changed, they go around in circles blaming everybody else or society. So many say, I cannot help myself, I am an addict or this is how I was made. I don’t believe that they were made that way. There is a way out to break free from this inherent curse. The way to true freedom is through Jesus Christ, He can change the life of anybody, if they are willing to come to Him and submit their will.

Most people are self-willed, they want to do as they please, without being accountable for their actions. Actions have consequences and unless the cycle is broken, people will go around in circles doing the same things over and over again, just as the once that came before them, and as the once following them. Jesus wants to set people free from all of this bondage, this heavy load upon people’s lives. Jesus can break this vicious cycle. If you are reading this and find yourself in bondage to sin or in a seemingly endless cycle with no hope or end in sight, may I say that there is? The way out is through Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind who calls you out of this lifestyle of bondage, pain and grief. He wants to set you free from all of this and break the cycle. God loves you and He wants you to return to Him. Turn to Him now and He will shower you with His love and will embrace you into His loving arms. It is never too late to turn, to turn away from those things that offend God. He will change you life, as He has changed mine and the life of countless others. He will give the believers a life of abundance.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
A lifestyle of sin steals the person of true joy. Sin is deceiving and may look inciting for a while, but in the end it stings, making life miserable. That is not what God wants for us. He wants us to be free from the heavy load of sin in our lives. Whatever you may be facing in your life right now, turn it over to Jesus and He will set you free. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30