Death Through Adam

Life Through Christ

     "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin...for before the law was given, sin was in the world. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a commandment, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. - Romans 5:12-14. 

     "The gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin. The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 

     "For if the trespass of one man, death reigned, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through one man, Jesus Christ. - 5:16-17 

>    "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - 5:20-21 

Friday, we go to Cuba

 Showing God's Love 

     From YouVersion:

     In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus shared God's greatest commandment - to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. 

Note: Our heart, soul and mind, and emotions, are what lasts forever. 

     Then He says something equally important - You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:39. 

     Jesus calls us to love others as ourselves, because doing so is how we show we love Him. YouVersion provides three ways to love people:  

* Ask a friend how you can pray for them.

* Encourage someone by sharing a Bible verse and what it meant for you.

* Pray about loving others. 

~ ~ ~

     We have not yet learned that a man is more powerful 

     on his knees than behind the most powerful guns. 

     We have not learned that a nation is more powerful

     when it unites in earnest prayer to God than

     when its resources are channeled into weapons. 

                                the late Billy Graham 

 Midterms

     "The problem for the president is the Republican and independent voters who supported him in 2024, but are not his natural constituency. Polling suggests most of them are happy with his foreign policy, but unhappy with his economic policies. From tariffs to running roughshod over allies, these voters prefer him to the alternative, but they may not show up in the midterms." 

Erick Ericlson

     "They want some accountability for the president, even if it means 
Democrats take control in Congress. That is the historic nature of midterm elections. Trump remains a transcendent politician, but the rules of politics still apply. Midterms tend to benefit the party out of power. The party out of power is more motivated to vote and the president's voters who are not actually his strongest supporters tend to stay home."

"If you're somewhere right now in a world

where you don't think you're loved,

you need to know Jesus loves you."

Billy Graham

Things That Matter 

     Do we organize our life by distractions, or purpose? 

     Do our activities leave us exhausted, not fulfilled? 

     Does our success and happiness crowd out contributions? 

Hmmm. I'm not scoring high.

     Does our attention skip meaningful work?

     Are daily habits aligned with deeply held values?

     Do we focus on meaningful service to others? 

Well, once in a while. 

     This is from Joshua Becker, 51, a former pastor and now state senator. He is also an author, speaker and philanthropist. What else does he ask?

     Do we make room for what deserves lasting attention? 

     Do we ever rethink success itself?

     Does meaningful life depend less on what we accumulate than on what we choose to prioritize? 

              Jimmy

Continuation of Saturday's list concerning salvation

Four additional ways, if...

...we are conscious of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. "This is how we know that he (Jesus) lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. - 1 John 3:24 

...we strive to follow Jesus' example and live as he lived. "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." - 1 John 2:6. 

...we believe, accept, and remain in the "Word of life." i.e. the living Christ (1 John 1:1, and in the original message of Christ and the NT apostles. 

...we have an earnest longing and an unbending hope for Christ's return to receive us to himself. "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be, has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." - 1 John 3:2-3; John 14:1-3. 

 

 Assurance of Salvation

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13

We have assurance of eternal life if... 

...we believe in the name of the Son of God. There is no eternal life without an earnest faith in Jesus Christ that confesses him as God's Son, sent to be our Lord and Savior.

...we are honoring Christ as Lord of our lives and are sincerely trying to obey his commands. The man who does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. - 1 John 2:3-5 

...we love the Father and the Son rather than the world, and if we overcome the influence of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15-16

...we habitually and persistently practice righteousness rather than sin. He who does what is sinful is of the devil. - 1 John 3:7-10 

...we love our brothers and sisters (in the Lord). This is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence. - 1 John 3:19-20.  

Four more ways, tomorrow. 

 Assurance of Salvation

     How we avoid hell is a topic Jesus referred to numerous times. Everyone should know there is a horrible eternity for minds, hearts/souls and emotions - whatever survives death of the body. Jesus spoke of "fear of the Lord." He made heaven and earth, and that includes hell. 

     In recent times preachers have focused on salvation, without addressing the alternative. It's in the Bible we claim to trust - in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Tomorrow and into Sunday we will list nine ways to be sure of eternal life, thanks to John. 

     John was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. While dying on the cross, Jesus gave John responsibility to care for his (virgin) mother. John ministered as well as other disciples, but he used letters in old age, 60 or more years after Jesus returned to heaven. 

    John wrote one of the four Gospels (good news). Read the awesome first 18 verses of chapter 1. He also wrote 1 John, emphasizing truth and righteousness, and repudiating errors by false teachers. 2 John's theme is walking in truth. And 3 John emphasizes acting faithfully.

     John also wrote Revelation. It begins with John's encounter with Jesus the king of kings (not the human), prophecy, letters, visions, truth, faith, and more. And the last three chapters: the thousand years, the new heaven and earth, and Satan's doom. 

     Tomorrow, we go to 1 John for nine ways to know that we are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Our Views had over a thousand readers (a record) yesterday when the word "hell" was in our title. Friday, we will respond to this, and on the weekend, we will provide nine ways to assure salvation, directly from our Bible. 

Justified by Faith 

     We follow up on yesterday's faith of Abraham (Genesis chapter 22), who became "father of us all." There were no laws to obey. 

     Centuries later, the "Son of God" was born, grew up without sin in an unimportant town, began his teaching and healing, and finally gave his life in the most painful way. Religious rulers knew he miraculously healed people, but when Jesus declined to evict Roman soldiers and restore the nation (like David might?) they begged Pilate the governor to crucify him. Before he died, Jesus forgave them. 

     This occurred by divine providence. Jesus paid the price all humans in all history deserve, and when he returned to life, he instructed his disciples and appeared to others over 40 days. They saw him return to heaven. He sent the Holy Spirit to earth, and the "good news" has been spreading over the world ever since. 

     Jesus spoke from above to an intelligent Jewish leader named Saul, also called Paul, who was persecuting Christians. Paul became a believer and revised his thinking. Among his many letters, four written while he was in prisons, Paul addressed Christians in Rome in A.D. 57. 

     "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." - Romans 4:16 

     "The words 'it was credited to him' were not for him alone, but also... for us who believe in him (God) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." - Romans 4:23-25  

How We Avoid Hell 

     In the first book, Genesis, we find the answer in chapter 15-v. 6. Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 

     Is it that simple? When God promised Abram and his wife a child, and they both were beyond child-bearing years, Abram still believed God. Is that all? 

     Believe (Hebrew 'aman') means to persevere in trust and belief with obedient faithfulness. Abram trusted God. He was in a right relationship with God and his will. He received God as his shield and reward. So, no, belief isn't a one-time statement that carries us through to salvation. 

     In Genesis 22 Abraham's faith was tested when God told him to take his son Isaac to a mountain and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. When this father had raised his knife, an angel intervened, saying, "Now I know that you fear God..." Now, God knew that Abraham was a God-fearing man whose chief concern was to do God's will.   

     Abraham had many offspring, and today he is considered the "father of all who believe." - New Testament, Romans 4:11. 

     Has yours truly been tested? Yes, but I didn't have to threaten my kids to prove my faithfulness. Have you been tested? We recommend you read all of Genesis chapter 22.

           Jimmy

 Prayer to Celebrate July 4th 

     Most of us, we hope, know our 250th-year celebration is drawing near. Our president has called on Americans to pray for us to "rededicate ourselves to one nation under God." 

     Yesterday our blog on birds noted that 91 million Americans are bird watchers. If only 91 million of us prayed daily for "one nation under God" to forgive us and to give us favor and understanding. 

     Pastor Robert Jeffress said, "There is no more important service for Christians to provide for our country and its leaders than consistent, fervent prayers on their behalf."  

     The U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development asked, "What if one million people prayed for our country every week until July 4th? What if each believer got together with 10 people - friends, family, colleagues, work associates - 10 people each week to pray for our country and fellow citizens?" 

     This, the Lord has already called us to do. "Scripture directs us to pray for 'all who are in high positions' because this 'is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.'" - (1 Timothy 2:2-4) 

     Rep. Andy Harris, Maryland, said: "When our nation feels divided, when political violence and fear threaten to harden our hearts, prayer is exactly what we need. We can draft laws and cast votes, but only God can change hearts." 

                Jimmy

 

Flocks Attract Younger Flocks   

     My boyhood home was on a street well named Shady Avenue. There were large maple trees on both sides of the street. Two trees shaded our front yard...perfect limbs and branches for huge flocks of starlings. Spring or fall, I don't recall, but annually they flew down for a rest. 

     Their rest was a test. You see, bird "bathrooms" were the shady trees. Much of their mess fell on our shady properties. Dad took a board and banged it on the cement railing. Better yet, our neighbor two doors up used his gun. One bang, and off they flew. 

     My uncle Bill might not have approved. He was the first head of Everglades National Park, following the war. We drove from Pennsylvania to Florida when I was 10 to visit them and another uncle and aunt. Before Bill passed away, he claimed to have seen and identified 500 birds all over the country. 

     Today, Bill would be happy to know more Americans, and younger ones, have taken up bird watching. They see a world around them that they never really observed. Bird watching helps one appreciate nature, and it becomes a hobby. Upwards fly the birds, and upwards is the number of American birders, 91 million, and the average age, 49, down from 53 in 2011. 

     Yours truly isn't one of them, but we salute people who can leave the television for a while and do something else. 

           Jimmy 

Jesus said:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. - Matthew 7:1-2

Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good - except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. 

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then, come, follow me. - Mark 10:18-21 

Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all - he is the greatest. - Luke 9:48 

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.    - John 5:22-23   

U.S. Postal Service - Bankrupt?

     When this kid was very young, our mailbox was on our front porch. The mailman came off the sidewalk to deliver and to pick up any outgoing mail. A high school friend, Chuck, after the Army, became a mailman, his (Pennsylvania) walk sometimes freezing, snowy or rainy.  

     As for me, on our school's lunch hour I had a job bicycling mail from a factory to and from the post office. There were two other stops on my route. There is no part-time work for teenagers today. That factory and others no longer exist. Like so many northern businesses. 

     Today we seldom send mail, and most mail we receive is from organizations or politicians asking for money. With email, cellphones and such, the United States Postal Service is down from a high of 213 billion pieces annually to 109 billion...about half.  

     Last year the Service lost $9 billion, and it could go bankrupt in 2027. So said postmaster general David Steiner. 

     USPS has been funded by stamp sales and package fees, but two decades have passed without a profit. Steiner wants Congress to authorize borrowing more money so USPS can operate like an independent business. Really? USPS legally must deliver to all U.S. addresses. More than 70 percent of its routes are unprofitable.   

     USPS has a partnership with Amazon, more than 6% of its annual income. Any volunteer mail carriers out there?

            Jimmy 

Try Worshiping in China 

     Last October, governing authorities arrested and imprisoned 18 Christians. They are still held on charges of anti-government online activities. The daughter of a pastor arrested, now in the U.S., said "They didn't want to join government sanctioned churches, which would infringe on their ability to worship God wholeheartedly. This is just one example of a new wave of persecution." 

     "In 2018 the government made it impossible to rent out any other space, so the church started meeting online and offline, and it holds services through online media. The Chinese government claims this is illegal. But their sermons are still on YouTube, and people are meeting. It's not political, just the gospel," she says to WORLD magazine. 

     "Today, there are no direct family communications with any of the 18 detained. They are not allowed to meet the prisoners. They're not allowed phone calls or even letters. Lawyers who once provided information are having their licenses revoked." 

     "The Chinese government controls with Communist Party songs and core socialist values. They fear anything they can't control. Free Christians also provide services to the poor and vulnerable, as they do in other countries. But the government thinks it is the only party that can help people, so people rely only on the Communist Party." 

     But Christianity is growing in China. The daughter (above) believes persecution often makes the faith grow faster and firmer. She says "We know that God is faithful and is using this for good. When another pastor asked my father, 'How would you feel if they were coming for you?' My dad just said, 'Hallelujah, the gospel will spread even further.'" 

     She asks that we pray for those in prison, and their families. 

     I don't need to comment.   Jimmy  

Jews and Gentiles

Setting the Record Straight  

     Friends, from time to time this month we'll include a few verses from the informative book of Romans. After 25 years of spreading the gospel, Paul (a Christian Jew) planned to follow his letter to Rome. He wanted to correct rumors and attitudes about Jews and Gentiles, both ways.  

(Neither had plentiful Bibles until recent times. Today, American Christians and Jews in Israel have joined hands to help people in need. But Satan and other demons are at war with both. Easily fooled Americans chant the end of Israel. Every author in the New Testament was Jewish, except Luke, who wrote "Luke" and "Acts." Now, back to Paul:

     Romans chapter 2: "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."  

     Romans 3. "Let God be true, and every man a liar. What shall we conclude then? We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written, 'There is no one righteous, not even one' (Paul includes himself). Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in his (God's) sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

     "But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are (can be) justified freely by his grace. God presented (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this...because He left the sins committed beforehand unpunished ... he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time."

     "Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes...since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that faith. We (Jews) uphold the law." 

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Trump vs. Western...Allies? 

     President Trump wrote that "NATO wasn't there when we needed them." NATO has its opinion of the U.S. that may explain why the North Atlantic Treaty Organization isn't involved in our war with Iran. 

     Most of those countries needed the U.S. during World War II, and in following years when the Soviet Union was gobbling up territory. Iran isn't NATO's friend, but Iran is not a threat to them either. 

source: WORLD magazine

     A poll revealed mistrust between Washington and European allies before the war on Iran. Some respondents even said the U.S. is more of a threat to Europe than China, Iran or North Korea. (Those three probably aren't threats to Europe. But, America?) Well, Hitler and Stalin are gone, and Europeans are thinking for themselves.  

     Russia? Europeans have real issues, a costly influx of immigrants from Ukraine, spats with eastern neighbors and concerns for security. What if Russia defeats Ukraine and turns its eyes on Europe? "You'll have to learn how to fight for yourself; the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore," Trump wrote in late March. 

     Trump's rift with Europe has led to speculation that the U.S. might withdraw from NATO. Such a decision would require congressional approval.  

            Jimmy

Which List Is Ours? 

     Jewish leader Saul was a fierce opponent of those newcomers who called themselves Christians. Jesus, then in heaven, spoked to Saul while he was headed to Damascus...to arrest more Christians. He gave him the name Paul, who wrote many letters we now call books, in the Bible. Obviously, Paul was highly intelligent, among other attributes. 

     Paul's notable letter to the Romans, where some Christians were living, includes words describing Christianity, and twice as many describing the world...all in chapter 1.   

        Our Faith                                           Our World 

        Son of God                            foolish hearts   wrath   wickedness

        gospel    grace                                godless    lies   futility 

        faith    love                                 foolish     images   desire   

        peace    prayer                            impurity       created things    

        spiritual gifts   mercy                   shameful lust    indecent acts

        encouragement                             perversion   depraved minds

        wisdom   power of God                         greed      envy 

        salvation for Jew and Gentile          murder     strife     deceit    

        righteousness   divine nature           malice   gossip    slander 

                                                           insolent   arrogant   boastful

                                                             disobedient     senseless  

                                                                faithless    heartless  

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Two Airmen Down...Pause the War 

     A wounded U.S. weapons officer, a colonel, is back home on the mend after his jet crashed in Iran. The jet went down in a mountainous region, and Iranians offered a reward for capture. He avoided discovery for nearly two days. The first message rescuers received from him said, God is good. 

     The rescue search involved four bombers, 64 fighter jets, 48 refueling tankers, and 13 rescue aircraft. The plane's pilot was recovered several hours after the crash. 

Fertilizer Anyone? 

     Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted about one-third of the global fertilizer trade, a threat to food security and prices. Gulf Arab nations are major producers of the most commonly used fertilizer. They also export liquefied natural gas, a raw material for fertilizer production. 

     Farmers in the U.S. and Australia have switched to crops needing less urea, such as barley and soybeans, while planting less wheat, canola and corn. Like it or not, we do have a dog in this fight, along with the fight.

Remember Alcatraz? 

     One of the most secure prisons, in the water outside California, was closed in 1963. It now serves as a tourist attraction. 

     The White House has requested millions in the 2027 budget to reopen Alcatraz as a prison. Alcatraz cost three times more than any other federal prison. The funding request may not go through. Congress sets the budget, so the request functions as a suggestion. 

    Our request is that violent offenders are in prison, yes, and taught about heaven and hell. 

             Jimmy

Tomorrow: The good and the not in Rome

War with Satan and the Demons

     Our conclusion to a weeklong series. For individuals, our true enemy is not the Russians, Chinese, Iranians etc. Our lifelong enemy is in the spiritual world. 

     We began this series with Adam and Eve and how their relationship with God was destroyed by disobedience. They ate a bite of the forbidden fruit. Big deal? The result remains with the human race today. 

     Human relationship with God was destroyed. All of us entered the world with a sin nature. The Bible does not say Adam's sin and his guilt is imputed to the human race. "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all men (and women) because all sinned." - Romans 5:12.  

     How do we escape this predicament? "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2. 

     And how does Jesus the Son of God do this? After three years of teaching and healing people, and raising the dead, Jesus allowed Roman soldiers outside Jerusalem to whip and crucify him. He paid for your sins and mine. And on the third day he appeared alive and well, showing his disciples his damaged hands and side. 

     He wants us not simply to believe but follow him. See the New Testament for details. 

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"The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to earth and his angels with him." - Revelation 12:9 

     "He (an angel) seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." - Rev. 20:2. (the millennium to come) "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations...And the devil who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur." - Rev. 20:7-10. 

     Yes, we're in the New Testament, history of the first century A.D. and revelations to come. It concludes with the new heaven and new earth, and the new Jerusalem, in chapter 32. 

     Meanwhile, the apostle Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 2:11 to be careful that "Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." He adds, "Just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray."  

     Conclusion tomorrow