What is Life?


1Cr 1:18What is Life?  That is a question, I have asked myself many times over the last few years.  Now that I’m a bit more advanced in age, this question becomes more frequent.  What is Life?  Why am I here?  What is the purpose of Life?

 

I have seen some of my friends pass on in the last few years and one begins to wonder, why and what happened to them? I remember those who have passed, when they were younger, full of life and energy, vibrant and driven. Some of my friends were taken by cancer or some other illness. Death is something most people don’t think about in the younger years.

 

In our youth some of us thought we are invincible and the thought of maybe one day ending up with something like cancer really never entered  the mind.  Who wants to think about death, or which way we may die? Death is so final. Everyone of us will have to face death one day,  sooner or later.  The statistics on death are pretty overwhelming, one out of one will die.  No exceptions made.

 

There are those, who believe, that when a person dies, they cease to exist. Those who believe that, are those who also believe, that mankind came to be by chance, by accident. Humans came to be as part of a long process, known as evolution. Some 4.6 billion years ago,  some cosmic event, aka the big bang, caused the universe and the earth to be formed. Every plant life and every living creature slowly started to evolve, into what we see today. All this happened through the process of natural selection, according to the theory of Darwin.

 

Personally, I can not buy into the theory of evolution.

To evolutionist, life came about by chance. They do not believe in creation, or that there is something after death. They believe, once a person dies, there is nothingness and nothing more. We simply cease to exist.

 

I believe that life is precious and that we were wonderfully made by a loving Creator. I believe in a God that created the universe and everything in it. We are no accident or just here by chance. We are here for a purpose and we were created for Him and by Him.

 

Atheist, state that there is no God. Atheist believe in themselves and mankind. They believe that all the problems in the world can be be fixed by man. They don’t need or want God. For them there is no higher authority, no deity, no one that will hold them accountable on the day they die. They don’t believe that there is a thing like heaven or hell,  judgment or eternal life.

 

A life without God, makes no sense to me. A life without a future or hope.

 

I believe that somehow, we all have eternity written on our hearts. No one, wants to grow old and eventually die, if given the choice. We long for life.

Am I to believe, that I am here for 70 to 80+ years and then nothing?

 

Was I just born, to live a life that is filled with trials and tribulations, a life of laughter and tears, a life of happiness and sadness, to one day just die?

 

I am no accident and you are no accident. You and I were created by a loving God. When God first created Adam and Eve, he created them as eternal beings. Death came about when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden. This one-act of disobedience resulted in death, a spiritual death, a disconnect from God. It also brought forth physical death, and from that day on, all of creation was and is subject to death and decay.

 

I believe in the afterlife. I know that when this physical body, that is the flesh, of mine dies, my spirit will live on. The Bible teaches, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

 

That is the glorious hope that every believer in Jesus Christ has. Jesus defeated death on the cross and he has promised eternal life to all who believe in him by faith.

By believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior he has reconciled us to God the father through his death and resurrection. He closed the spiritual gap that existed between mankind and God.

Because of what Jesus did for us, we once again can have fellowship with God, as it was in the beginning before the fall.

 

Unfortunately, there are many who do not believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. They refuse to believe and to receive the free gift of life, that Jesus promised to all those who believe.

They rather buy into the theory of evolution, discarding creation and God. They are what the Bible calls, “the natural man” who live after the desires of the flesh, having no understanding of spiritual things.

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1Corinthians 2:14.

Of course I cannot prove that there is life after death and neither can they disprove it. I believe by faith, just as atheist or evolutionist believe by faith that there is no God.

Frankly, I do not have enough faith to be an Atheist or to believe in evolution.

 

What is life? That is the question that Atheist and those who do not believe in the promises of God should ask themselves. What happens after they die, will there be darkness or is it not possible that there is more?

What if all we believers in Jesus are right, when we talk about eternal life? What if we are right, about Jesus and what His death on the cross has accomplished for those who believe by faith?

Life is nothing but a fleeting moment and there will come a day when we will face death. As a believer, I do not fear death, because I have already received eternal life, because of my faith in Jesus.

 

What about you?  Do you believe that when you die, that you cease to exist?  If so, you better be right.  Believing that there is no afterlife, means to deny what Jesus said before He went to the cross.  Those who do not believe His words, make Him a liar.   Something to at least think about.  Here is what Jesus said:

 

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,    that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have 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. 

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.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:14-21

 

Destination Unknown?


1Cr 1:18I received the sad news, that a friend of mine past away in Germany. From what I know, it was a heart related issue. I have lost several family members and friends in the past couple of years, and whenever I hear of someones death, several thought go through my mind about death, eternity and the destination of people.
The first thought that went through my mind, when I learned of his death was, did he believe in Jesus as his Lord and Savior? From what I know, he was not a believer the last time I saw him. Neither was I until 2006. Growing up in Germany is pretty much being secular. People in Germany have lost touch with God. That saddens me quite a bit, knowing what I know now. There is however a remnant and many think that Germany will see a revival.
The second thought that went through my mind, was, what happened to him, after his death?  What happened to his spirit after it left his physical body? Where did he go?
The word of God is pretty clear about what happens to people who are not saved by the blood of the lamb. They will be eternally separated from God. Something the Bible calls Hell. An eternity without the presence of God. That is not an easy thought, even as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Nobody wants to think that a friend or family member is in Hell, because they didn’t believe in Christ. But, that is what the word of God teaches, and I believe it. They have either rejected Christ or didn’t give any thought towards God. They lived a life without thanking God for all the blessings they received, even as unbelievers. The air that we breathe, the food and water and so many other things that sustain us throughout our lives. God created every one of us and we are wonderfully made.
As a believer, I believe in creation, in a God, Who created all things. I can’t adhere to the theory of evolution or people who believe that we are here by accident or natural selection. Darwin was wrong and people who follow his theory are misguided and deceived by his teachings. Darwin led many people astray from the belief in a Creator.
But, back to my friend.  What happened to him, now that his spirit passed on into the spiritual realm? What if he did not believe in God and the finished work of Jesus on the cross? If he was not a believer, will he spent eternity in Hell? As I stated before, that is not an easy thought. I don’t want to think of my friends or family member, who did not believe, being in Hell.
I think that’s where many people who are not believers i.e Christians, take issue with. The say, how can a loving God, send people to Hell. What kind of cruel God is that?
Are you telling me that everybody that does not believe in Jesus goes to Hell? What about the Muslims, Hindus and people of other faith, they all go to Hell. That’s crazy.
To be honest, I don’t know how Hell feels or looks like, but I know that I don’t want to end up there. Neither do I want anyone else to end up there. God Himself does not want people to go to Hell. That gives me comfort and hope, to know that God will do anything, for people to come to know Him.
I believe that God will reveal Himself to people facing death. They may not have worshiped Him all their lives, but I truly believe that God will somehow show His love, maybe even in a split second before death arrives. I can’t prove it, but somehow it makes sense to me, knowing that God does not want anybody to perish, but have everlasting life. I believe that God reveled Himself to my friend and to my father, who died in 2005 and was not a believer.
God is a loving God and He has sent His Son to reconcile us to Him. God does not want people to end up in Hell. God does not send people to Hell, they send themselves to Hell, because of their unbelief. They either rejected God, or they just did not want to believe in Him. That is a choice that everyone has to make. He does not force Himself on anyone, but He is long-suffering and patient. He wants all to come to the knowledge of truth and in to His marvelous light.
That is what sets Christianity apart from many other religions. We as Christians believe in the true and living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Who send His only begotten Son, to die and shed His blood for us on the cross. Jesus is our propitiation, the passover lamb. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He laid down His life for us, forgiving us of our sins and giving those who believe by faith, eternal life.
The message of the cross is foolishness to many. They believe that all roads lead to God and that they can work out their own salvation, either by good works or religious practices. That is what I like to call, a fig leaf religion. Just as Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leafs to cover their nakedness, to hide their sins. God, however did not approve of that man-made idea and covered them in animal skins, signifying the first sacrifice and that blood was needed to cover their disobedience in the Garden.
God made only one way to be reconciled with Him, and that is through His Son, Jesus the Messiah, Who is a stumbling block to many. Jesus is the only way to the Father and eternal life. Something that many reject and do not believe. They believe that there are many ways besides Jesus. It is not me saying this, it was Jesus Who said it. People can either believe what Jesus said, or reject it and call Him a liar. That is a choice. I would highly recommend to learn about Jesus and seek Him. Eternity apart from God, is a very long time.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.
“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. 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 3:16-20.
I hope and pray, that if you are not a believer to at least read about Jesus and what He has done for you.  Start with the Gospel of John and read about Him, the only One that can truly save you and give you eternal life. Maranatha Lord Jesus.
https://media4lifeministries.com/2011/11/18/eternal-life/
https://media4lifeministries.com/2013/01/04/jesus-christ-our-propitiation/
https://media4lifeministries.com/2014/01/06/the-exclusive-club/
https://media4lifeministries.com/2013/07/29/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/

“The Exclusive Club”


iam_wayThere have been times, when I turned on the News on TV that they interviewed prominent Christian Pastors  about the Christian faith and what Christians believe. They ask some general questions and then there is the one direct question that the host will ask the Pastors:  “Do you really believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven?”

When I hear that question, I cringe. What answer will this Pastor give and will he tell the truth or trying to avoid a confrontation with the host and the audience?

Sadly, I must say that most of these prominent Pastors failed miserably and danced around the question. Why? Are they afraid to speak the truth, or are the afraid that some people might get offended by the truth?

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by Me.”  John 14:6

This statement alone by Jesus would make Christianity very exclusive.  Jesus is plain and simply saying that there are no other ways to be reconciled with the Father but through Him. Was He lying when He made that statement?

Disciples and followers of Christ know this to be true, but there are of course many others that do not agree with that statement. There are for one those of a different faith that would not agree either. Than there are those who have no faith or “religion” at all and lastly those who call themselves Christians, who have become lukewarm and departed from the truth and follow the doctrine of men.

People of a different faith sometimes call Christianity the  “exclusive Club” and it is not surprising when they post the question: “What makes you think that you as Christians are the only once that have a relationship with God and we are not? We believe in a god, just not your God.

Was the Apostle Peter lying when he said: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Muslims claim that Allah is the true god and that all other people of faith are infidels. I have heard Jewish people say that they will automatically go to heaven just because of their Jewish faith.

Hindus worship over 3.3 million gods and Buddhist, which is really not a religion but more of  a philosophy,  believe that they can reach Nirvana if the follow certain steps and the teachings of Buddha. Buddhist also believe in re-incarnation. A do over if it didn’t work out as they had hoped in this lifetime.

What is the truth and who is right?  Christians are not the one that made the statement about the only way to heaven, it was Jesus.  So, those who have a problem with what Jesus said have to ask Him.  Jesus, Who is God (2nd person of the triune Godhead) is the only One that came to reconcile the world to God, by laying down His life on the cross so that those who believe by faith will find forgiveness,  salvation and eternal life. He was the Passover lamb, the promised Messiah.

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17

“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 1John 2:2

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1John 4:10

All other religion are man-made and there is only One true and living God. Christians believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Creator of all things, Who created us  for His pleasure and to fellowship with Him just as Adam and Eve did before the fall. When sin entered the world, mankind was spiritually separated from God.

Jesus bridged that gap by going to the cross to die for our sins. It is through His blood that we can be reconciled with the father. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they tried to cover themselves with fig leafs to hide their nakedness. God clothed them in animal skins, signifying the first blood sacrifice. He did not accept a fig leaf religion i.e man made. Later at the time of Moses, God in the law required animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. The passover lamb which took place once a year was a picture of Jesus our propitiation. The blood of the animals could only cover the sins, the blood of Christ on the cross took away the sins once and for all. ”

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

God gave His only begotten Son and He paid a very costly price by having Jesus hang on the cross to be the substitute, the propitiation for our sins. Through His blood we are healed because He did what we could not do for ourselves. God the Father looks at the believers through the blood of Christ and he does no longer see our sins, He sees Jesus, Who’s righteousness was imputed onto those who believe by faith, just as Abraham did when he believed God.

So when Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no one will come to Father but by Me, I have absolutely no problem believing the words of Jesus.  He died for my sins and the sin of the world. Because of Him, we can come boldly before the throne of God and we have once again a relationship with God through faith and not of works.  All man-made religions are works based, man trying to reach God on their own merit i.e a Fig Leaf Religion. All other religions are trying to reach God, in pure Christianity, God is reaching down to man.

Not everybody will agree with what I wrote because they will argue that there are many other religions with good people who seek and love God, so why would you even think that only Christians know the real God and are the only once that go to heaven because of Jesus? My answer is that I believe Jesus and I believe that He died and rose for me so that I may have eternal life. No one else can claim that. No Muhammad, no Krishna, or any one else.

If you are of a different faith, you have to ask yourself this question: Does my god love me as a loving father or is my god angry at me because I can’t live up to his/her expectations?  Do I have assurance of my salvation? Are my sins forgiven? Can I be sure that I will go to heaven when I die? If you have any uncertainties, you may want to at least learn about Jesus. Jesus said, seek and you shall find. If you feel empty or a void in your heart, ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you. He loves you with all of His heart and He does not want you to perish. Many people will perish because they have either rejected the free gift of salvation or they do not want to come to the truth. People make their own choices because of the free will given to us by God. Many people have heard about Jesus, but are not willing to listen or surrender. Bad choice. The following verses are also the words of Jesus:

“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. 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. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21

By having a close and personal relationship with my Lord Jesus instead of religion, I am very pleased to be a member of the “Exclusive Club.”

Pastor Chuck Smith


Pastor Chuck Smith 2 Pastor Chuck Smith

Many of you have heard by now that my beloved Pastor Chuck Smith, the founder and father of Calvary Chapel went to be with the Lord this morning. He will be greatly missed. He was instrumental to so many people over the past 40+ years.

A true man of God and teacher of the word. “Simply teach the Bible simply” was his way to teach the word to many all over the world. He had a great influence in my life, my faith and walk with the Lord.

I feel honored and blessed, that I have met him a couple of times. I can truly say that he was a gentle man who loved the Lord with all of his heart.

He has fought the good fight, ran the race and he heard the words, well done my good and faithful servant when he arrived and saw Jesus’ face to face for the first time. I’m sure, that Jesus had a big smile on his face when He saw Pastor Chuck and welcomed him in His loving arms.

There aren’t enough words to describe what this man has meant to me and many others. Please pray for his family and remember him with joy and gladness in your hearts.

We love you Pastor Chuck and we will see you soon.“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cr 5:8.

“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 1-5.

A farewell to my Friend


Vaughn Butterbrodt
Vaughn Butterbrodt

I lost a good friend just yesterday, Saturday July the 6th. Vaughn Butterbrodt went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer.

Please pray for his wife Mary and his son Beau, pray that the Lord may comfort them both for their loss of a wonderful husband and father.

Personally, I will miss Vaughn a lot. We were both in a small group together that met every Saturday morning to study God’s word. I have come to love and respect Vaughn over the years and I can say the same with absolute certainty for all the other men in the group.

Vaughn attended Maranatha Chapel, which is my home church, before attending  Olive Branch Christian Fellowship, led by my friend and Pastor Scott Gehrman, who just lost his wife due to pancreatic cancer.

I’m sure that many of my Maranatha friends remember Vaughn very well. Vaughn has touched many lives, not only people at church, but lives all over the country because of his bout with cancer. It was because of his cancer that Vaughn became involved with a network of people who have the same disease. People that did not know each other, but were brought together to love and  support each other because they had one common denominator. They would be praying for one another and share their testimonies and daily struggles with this terrible disease.

I remember Vaughn telling me about some of the guys that he met through this network. How he became friends with many, exchanging e-mails, lifting people up in prayer and encourage each other.  A circle of people who became friends, just ordinary people who would not have met, if it were not for the same disease they shared. Vaughn also lost some of his friends during that time. Some of them were believers in Jesus and some were not.  Those who were not, never said no when asked by those who were believers if they could pray for them.

I am truly convinced, that the Lord used Vaughn’s affliction to minister to those who needed a word of encouragement and a word of comfort. Vaughn, despite of his illness, thought of others rather than himself. He helped those that needed someone to lift up their spirits; Vaughn was that man. God used Vaughn’s character and strong faith to minister to others who needed a word of hope and comfort in a time of grief and suffering.

We may not always understand why people have to suffer from various diseases and illnesses and why some people get healed and some people not. We may ask ourselves, why does God allow all this suffering?  My answer to that, I don’t know. I don’t know why God allowed  Vaughn and others  to suffer from cancer or why He allows so many other terrible things happening to people all over the world. One thing I know for sure though, all things have a purpose. Nothing is by accidents or coincidences. There are reasons beyond our comprehension. God is in control and He knows why. God’s ways are not our ways and there are things that our finite minds cannot comprehend or understand.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8, 9.

The Lord took Vaughn home, to a place of peace and joy. One day we will understand why things were the way they were. God, Who sees the end from the beginning, had His purposes and who knows, what God worked for good through Vaughn’s afflictions. Whatever Vaughn had to go through, it had a purpose and was not in vain. Whatever we may face in the future, will be for a purpose and to glorify God.

I will miss you buddy, but one day Vaughn,  I will see you again. One day, when the Lord will bring us all back together into a new world without pain and suffering.

Vaughn, we who remain will keep on fighting the good fight and run the race as you have my friend. I can’t wait to see you again. Until then, farewell my friend.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cr 5:8.

“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

Coming Soon: Media 4 Life Ministry Apps


1Cr 1:18

Media 4 Life Ministries is exited to announce that  our new apps will be available for download this fall.

At no time in history has it been easier to be a true Christian as today. We all want convenience and we here at Media 4 Life Ministries have made that possible with our new apps soon to be released for the iPhone.

(Sorry Android users, you may have to wait a bit longer.) We are working hard, so you don’t have to. Here is a preview of what’s to come. We are getting great reviews from the public. Don’t miss out on this new way of doing church.

iRepent
Need forgiveness? No problem, with our app you can ask God for forgiveness without even talking to a Pastor or Priest. This app will give you a 100% assurance that you are forgiven. Monthly subscription fee and registration are required.

iConfess
Done something wrong? Use this app to confess your wrongs and they will be erased. This app comes with a monitoring dashboard which can be used to keep track and lets you see the history of your past wrongs. Easy to use and never fails.

iFaith
Want to  know how much faith you have if any?  This app gives you an easy way to monitor and test your current  faith level. Is you faith at an all time low?
For a monthly subscription we can show you how to increase your faith and keep it that way. No more worrying and sleepless nights.

iSaved
Not sure if you are saved? Answer a few simple questions and this app will show you whether you are  saved  or not.  100% guaranteed results. If you are not saved, use the iRepent app.

iSinned
Are you an habitual sinner? No problem, with this app you can check your progress with an easy instruction manual that will help you to forsake your habitual sins, step by step, one day at a time. Free with the purchase of complete app package.

iWorship
Are you tired of coming to the church early for worship? No problem this app will let you worship in the car while you on the way to church.

iChurch

Tired of getting out of bed on Sunday mornings? This virtual church app lets you attend church anytime you want, without  getting out of bed. No shirt or shoes required. This is a free app and our love gift to you.

iHeaven

Not sure if you are going to heaven?
Our apps lets you monitor your progress. Media 4 Life  Ministries wants nothing more than to make sure that you to go to heaven. That’s  why we are  making these apps available at a low-cost to you.

This is the day the LORD has made.


Palm Sunday Sunset

“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.

Today we celebrated the triumphant entry of Jesus into the City of David, Jerusalem. His arrival was not any arrival, He had gone to feast of Passover before, but this was the day the Lord had made.

It was God’s divinely appointed day. Jesus would be crucified a few days later on Passover, the sacrificial lamb of God, the One that Abraham spoke of when he was asked to sacrifice Issac. “The Lord will provide a sacrifice.” Gen 22:8.

Jesus was that lamb on Mount Moriah 2000 years later. Our propitiation. By His stripes we are healed. By His blood we are cleansed and forgiven and have eternal life. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24

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You are redeemed – Isaiah 44:22


Isaiah 44:22“I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22.

Another one of God’s great promises in the Bible. There are over 7000 promises in the word of God. To be honest, I don’t know them all, but one thing I know for sure, God keeps His promises.

Our sins are blotted out and God does not remember them anymore. That is something that we as believers need to lay hold off.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12.

There are way too many believers living a life of condemnation, believing that they are not good enough or are failing God everyday. I have good news for those who believe that, we as believers will never be good enough or perfect before God. We will always fall short of His glory, no matter how hard we may try to please Him.

It is not about us or what we do or have done. It is all about Jesus and what He has done on Calvary. He was the only one that lived a perfect life and He was the only one that did the will of His Father.

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” John 8:29.

That is impossible for fallen man, believers or non-believers alike. We can never live a perfect life and please God. In the eyes of God no one is righteous.

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6.

Jesus did it all for us, by laying down His life as a propitiation before God. He was the unblemished passover lamb. His blood cleanses us from all sin. It is not our righteousness, but His righteousness that was imputed onto all of those who believe in Him by faith.

Once we realize, that Jesus has done it all for us by going to the cross, there should be no feeling of condemnation or an inch of doubt that God loves us. He loves us so much, that He gave His only begotten Son. Jesus is our reconciliation and He is our High Priest. Jesus has torn the curtain to the Holy of Holies and we as believers have direct access through Him and come boldly before the throne of God.

God looks at the believers through the blood of Christ, He has redeemed us by His precious blood. The blood that does not just cover our sins as it was the case with the sacrificial animals, but His blood takes away the sins once and for all.

We will always fall short and those who believe that the are sinless are plain and simply, self-righteous people, condemning others, believing that they are better than others.

The Bible teaches just the opposite, self-righteousness will not justify anybody before God. It is God’s grace and the finished work of Jesus on the cross that justifies the believers.

We are saved by grace through faith and even the faith of the believers was given to them by God. The next time you have any doubts or feel like God does not love you, look at the cross. At the cross, God demonstrated His love for us.

Stop worrying and let God do the good work in you and through you. Surrender to His will. Let His will be done, not yours. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He started it and He will finish it. And that, is also a promise.

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;…” Philippians 1:6.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.

“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.

Thank you Jesus, Maranatha.

Dr. Martin Luther King, President Obama, Gun Control and Abortion


picture courtesy of biography.com
picture courtesy of biography.com

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day. He was a great man of faith, a man with convictions and without compromise, believing in love, honor and respect.

I am writing this post to pay my respect and homage to him. Tomorrow will also be the inauguration for President Obama’s second term.

There will be a lot of references towards Dr.King Jr. and after seeing his niece Aveda King on TV talking about her uncle and criticizing the President and the Washington Establishment, I felt to write some thoughts of mine down about the hypocrisy of this current administration and politicians in general.

Pres. Obama is the most pro abortion President in history.

He is advocating gun control, because of the tragedy that happened in Newtown, Connecticut. Many young innocent children and adults got killed that day and people are mourning their senseless death. A truly sad day in America, but his proposals on gun control won’t change anything. Criminals do not abide by the law. They are law breakers by nature.

The President spoke much about Sandy Hook, Columbine and Colorado and other tragic events like the shooting in Ft Hood, which was deemed a workplace violence instead of what it really was a terrorist attack.

Yet, this President has no problems with millions of young innocent life’s killed since Roe vs Wade in 1973. He has changed position in his beliefs on abortions during the last campaign, ensuring votes from many of the female voters. Labeling it women’s rights.

Today, on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, we as a nation are celebrating the life and great achievements of this truly amazing leader.

Aveda King, the niece of MLK, spoke out against this hypocrisy on national TV. She said that many give lip service to Dr. King, but are doing the opposite of what he believed in and stood for.

Dr. King Jr.  did not believe in this wide scale abortion or same-sex marriage. Those, in my opinion are not civil rights issues.

There is much hypocrisy in Washington on both side of the aisle. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored tomorrow and politicians will quote him, yet they are far from him.

Dr. King Jr. believed in and preached love, Agape love. He believed in the message of Jesus, the message of love.

The inauguration of Pres. Obama today,  will sadly overshadow Martin Luther King Day.

Pres. Obama will use this day also to honor Dr. King, which is fine, but in all reality, I believe that MLK would not be pleased with the policies of this President, when it comes to the abortion issue or same-sex marriage. President Obama flipped flopped on many issues because of political reasons. He compromised for political gain.

Dr. King Jr. was real, he was a man of faith. He had convictions and he stuck to his convictions. He did not compromise on his beliefs and the word of God and what it teaches.

He would not be in agreement with the abortion of so many innocent children since 1973.

Iran, Hypocrites and the Peaceful Muslims


Pastor Saeed AbediniAgain we are hearing about a Christian pastor being imprisoned in Iran. Most people are familiar with Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani who was recently released from an Iranian jail after serving three years for being a former Muslim who converted to Christianity. This time, it is a native Iranian pastor, though presently an US citizen, who faces a trial in the very near future. His name is Saeed Abedini, a family man who converted from Islam to Christianity.

Some media outlets cover the story, but to a minimum and this man is facing a very tough judge which some call the “hanging judge” next week, on January 21st. His fate is unknown to this point. Iran does not recognize his American citizenship, and from an Islamic point of view, he is a traitor, which is punishable by death.

Nadarkhani was freed after Fox News reported relentlessly about his imprisonment. Where was the liberal media on this? Where are these so-called human rights activists,  or the UN?

What bothers me is, where are all of the peace-loving and peaceful Muslims abroad, and here in the US? I have not seen much protest or outcry from the Muslim community around the world on this injustice that is taking place either.

Is it because Saeed Abedini is a Christian? Why is it that Muslims go berserk over a stupid video, protesting around the world causing death and damages and no one in the Muslim community speaks out? Where is CAIR on this? And where are the peace-loving Muslims in protest of what the Islamic regime of Iran is doing to Christians?

Christians are persecuted around the world, yet nobody seems to care. Much of the persecution comes from the Islamic religion. Muslims want to be treated with respect, but where is the respect of Muslims towards Christians and other faith groups?

In this country, the good old USA, we can hardly say anything against Islam or the Islamic faith without Muslims crying out in protest with the liberal media alongside them.

That is hypocritical and wrong. My dear Muslim, if you want to be treated with respect regarding your faith, respect others as well. As long as Islam is killing Christians because of their faith in Jesus Christ, I will not respect your religion or your prophet.

It is time to stand up and stop bowing down to an intolerant group of people and speak up against the injustice caused by radical Islamist as well as the silent peace-loving Muslims. Their silence makes them irrelevant. Maybe deep within they all hate Christians and are just waiting for Islam to take over the world. May that not be true or ever happen.

I don’t hate Muslims or their faith, but enough is enough. I’m tired of seeing our President going on an apology tour in the Muslim world, while Christians are getting killed and persecuted by Muslims. I’m tired of our government bending over backwards to please the Muslim world, but has no back bone to stand up against the injustice caused by them.

I’m tired of liberal hypocrites and Atheist mocking Christianity, but say hardly anything against the Islamic religion. Why is that? Are people like Bill Maher and Richard Dawkins afraid of them? If they would mock Islam as they mock Christianity, I believe they would be 6 feet under ground.

I for one will not be silent about the persecution towards the Christian faith and the attack by the liberals and Atheist on my beliefs. I hope and pray that Saeed Abedini will be freed, although things don’t look to good for him at this time.

What would you say, my peace-loving Muslim, if America or Europe persecuted you for your faith? Tortured you, and put you in prison? Don’t you think that the Imams in the American Mosque should speak out against the persecution of Christians around the world?  After all, aren’t Muslims who live in America supposed to be American?

CAIR is all over the news when they feel that Muslim are being treated unfairly, where are they now? Please people, wake up and don’t be silent like these hypocrites. Saeed Abedini has the right to be a Christian and no one should deny people their faith.

I hope that this will stay in the news and that people will speak out in defense of Saeed Abedini and his family.

I am sure that this Pastor Saeed Abedini is strong in his faith and I know that Jesus will give him the strength to endure whatever may come. May the Lord watch over him.

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