Greetings,

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16.16), who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and has commanded us to go and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28.18,19).  If we love Him we will keep His commandments, I say it again, if we love Him we will keep His commandments.  He is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to the Father is through Him (John 14.6).  He is the Son of God (John 20.31), and the son of man (Luke 22.48).  He is our hope and faith and mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 1.1, 14; 3.16).  He is God's chosen one to descend from His heavenly place to this low ground of sin and sorrow, to suffer and die for the world's sin.  Jesus is all of this and so much more, to Him I owe my life.

Greetings, Friends and Brethren,

The views of the world, and I am sad to say, even some who claim to be Christians concerning God and His word is nothing short of crucifying Jesus again.  The tempting of God by raising up the wicked and instead of exposing their wrongs, blessing those who call evil good and good evil is just morally and spiritually wrong.  But the true disciple, that is those who love and fear the Lord, empty themselves of worldly ways by crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires and deny self to do what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12.1,2).  They take heed knowing they too can fall from His grace (1 Corinthians 10.12).  They feed on God's word daily to strengthen and refresh their faith.  They know that there is coming a day when we all will appear before the judgement seat of Christ to give account of the things done in the body whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5.10), and they prepare their heart.  Our world would oh so better, if we found more Bibles on the table, and mothers singing Rock of Ages cleft for me.  Words of a country song; "Family Bible."

Greetings, Friends, and Brethren,

When I was in school I hated exams, oral or written.  But with age I have found that examination of self is vital, especially concerning my Christian life.  In Galatians 6:1-5, Paul tells us to examine our work.  In 1 Corinthians 11.28, pertaining to the taking of the Lord's supper, we are also told to examine self.  And then I consider my Lord and savior Jesus the Christ, King of all Kings, who was examined by others so many times and in so many ways.  Yet He passed every exam with flying colors.  His love for TRUTH, and the TRUTHS of the Father was tested by Satan in Matthew chapter 4.  He was tested about His love for the Father, and aced that test with His answer, I must do My Father's will by keeping His commandments, even to suffer and die. (Luke 24.46).  He asked the Father to remove the suffering from Him, but said, "Thy will not Mine be done". (Mark 14.33-38).  He was tested by Pilate, and acknowledged He was a King and had a Kingdom that was not a threat to Pilate. (See John 18.36,37).  He was examined about His love for His enemies, but on the cross He asked the Father to forgive them for they know not what they do. (Luke 23.34).  Jesus never failed, but with a perfect score passed every examination.  And He will never fail in His love and mercy for us.  When I examine myself about these things, I fail miserably compared to My Savior.

Oh, to be like thee, blessed redeemer.

Greetings, Friends, and Brethren,

Through the resurrection of Jesus our Savior, the author and finisher of our faith, who has been given all authority over all things in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28.18).  We have hope.  No matter how wicked and evil the world becomes we have hope in His word; be of good cheer I have overcome the world and His promise; I will never leave you nor forsake you (John 16.33; Hebrews 13.5).  These things are for the obedient faithful and encourage us to follow Jesus every day.  Friends open your Bibles.  Read, hear and obey His word before it's too late.  Brethren do not let the world's trials and temptations cause you to drift from God.  Keep the faith, read your Bible daily, lean on His arms and remain faithful till death.

Greetings, Friends and Brethren

Jesus was sent from the heart of God to this low ground of sin and sorrow to seek and save the lost of this world.  Now if Jesus was sent from the heart of God and we truly want to be near to the heart of God where there is calm, peace and release from the troubles of the world, then we need to set our minds not on things of earth but on things on high and stay close to the blessed Redeemer, Jesus the Christ, by picking up our cross daily and following Him.  Brethren we can make a difference by seeking the lost, teaching them the truths of the gospel and conducting our lives with the same mind as Christ.

Father, draw us nearer still nearer to the cross where Jesus died.  Nearer still nearer to thy heart.  Our sinful and contrite hearts we bring to thee to be washed and cleansed in the precious blood of our Savior.  We resign and crucify all of sins pleasures, pride and desires and want now to only do Your will.  Help us, Father, to find that quiet place of rest near to Your heart.

In Jesus name, AMEN