We Are All Sinners.

What is sin? It is disobeying God's precepts. 

God gave mankind ten commandments or principles for us to live by.

Exodus 20

New International Reader's Version

God Gives His People the Ten Commandments

20 Here are all the words God spoke. He said,

2 “I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. That is the land where you were slaves.

3 “Do not put any other gods in place of me.

4 “Do not make for yourself statues of gods that look like anything in the sky. They may not look like anything on the earth or in the waters either. 5 Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. I cause the sins of the parents to affect their children. I will cause the sins of those who hate me to affect even their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 6 But for all time to come I show love to all those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will find guilty anyone who misuses his name.

8 “Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. 9 Do all your work in six days. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to honor the Lord your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your towns. 11 In six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in them. But he rested on the seventh day. So the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long time in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “Do not murder.

14 “Do not commit adultery.

15 “Do not steal.

16 “Do not be a false witness against your neighbor.

17 “Do not want to have anything your neighbor owns. Do not want to have your neighbor’s house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey.”

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Romans 3:19-20

19 What the law says, it says to those who are ruled by the law. Its purpose is to shut every mouth and make the whole world accountable to God. 20 So no one will be considered right with God by obeying the law. Instead, the law makes us more aware of our sin.

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Romans 3

God Is Faithful

3 Is there any advantage in being a Jew? Is there any value in being circumcised? 2 There is great value in every way! First of all, the Jews have been given the very words of God. (This is not saying that if you are a Gentile, you should become a Jew. It simple states that God's words came through the Jews, that he interacted with mankind through the Jews first)

3 What if some Jews were not faithful? Will the fact that they weren’t faithful keep God from being faithful? 4 Not at all! God is true, even if every human being is a liar. It is written,

Psalm 51:4

New International Reader's Version

4 You are the one I’ve really sinned against.

    I’ve done what is evil in your sight.

So you are right when you sentence me.

    You are fair when you judge me.

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Romans 3:21-26

Becoming Right With God by Faith

21 But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this. 22 We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. 23 Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. 24 The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. 25 God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived. 26 God did all this to prove in our own time that he does what is right. He also makes right with himself those who believe in Jesus.

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Romans 3:27-31

27 So who can brag? No one! Are people saved by the law that requires them to obey? Not at all! They are saved because of the law that requires faith. 28 We firmly believe that a person is made right with God because of their faith. They are not saved by obeying the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of Gentiles? Yes, he is their God too. 30 There is only one God. When those who are circumcised believe in him, he makes them right with himself. Suppose those who are not circumcised believe in him. Then God also will make them right with himself. 31 Does faith make the law useless? Not at all! We agree with the law.

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The faith in Jesus should affect us somehow. This is where entering the Kingdom of God comes in. When we see that our actions have worked against God's principles and how much that has hurt others and God, shouldn't that make us want to change, make us want to become a better person? If we truly want this, then we repent, and ask Jesus for help. Jesus becomes our teacher and the Holy Spirit our helper. We enter into Father God's kingdom. We become one, one with each other, one with Yeshua (Jesus), one with Father God. 

Personally, I do not think joining a church is necessarily the way. Take a look at Quaker beliefs.  

One last thing, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, LET US NOT FORGET JESUS' GREAT SACRIFICE FOR US ALL. HE DID THAT BECAUSE HE LOVES US. FATHER GOD SENT HIS SON BECAUSE HE LOVES US. 

The Acts Church: A Spirit-Led Model for Today’s Believers (Edited 1/2/2026)

Edited 1/2/2026

I have been thinking about this post. I am getting lazy and have been looking for AI to create my final post, correct my mistakes, and make it look pretty, but I am noticing that it is taking me away from my original thoughts. 

Back to my original thoughts: 

I think we can glean important concepts from the Acts church that we can use in our communities, but I think some things should be different. 

When the Acts church started, it consisted of the apostles and followers of Jesus during his public ministry of about three to three and a half years. They heard his teachings, saw with their own eyes' the miracles he performed. They were all witnesses to the prophecies, verifying that he WAS/IS the Messiah. They were, in essence, all in the kingdom of God, Father God's kingdom. 

We no longer have these people with us, but their stories were passed on in writings and by word of mouth. The Bible is a collection of sacred texts for Christianity and Judaism. The original texts no longer exist. Archaeologists keep finding new things that gets us closer to the originals. Every text found has to be deciphered, and man's interpretations may not always be correct. I no longer like Christian religions. There are thousands of different denominations with differing interpretations of scripture. I am not saying to forsake gathering with others. We all need fellowship and community. But all should be in Father God's kingdom, being as one with each other, Jesus, and Father God.

Being in the Kingdom of God is the only way to know what is true. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." (John 14:6

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I have been thinking a lot about the Acts church in the Bible. Could we do something like that in today's world, in the communities we live in?

The Acts Church: A Spirit-Led Model for Today’s Believers

1. Spirit-Filled and United

After Pentecost (Acts 2), the outpouring of the Holy Spirit wasn’t just a moment of empowerment — it was a divine recalibration of community. Believers were knit together in supernatural unity, transcending personal agendas and cultural divides.

• “Of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32) wasn’t just poetic — it was a lived reality of shared mission and mutual love.

• Their unity was rooted not in uniformity, but in shared surrender to Christ.

• Today, this challenges us to ask: Are we united by the Spirit or divided by preference?

2. Devoted to the Apostles’ Teaching -- Edited 1/2/2026: I don't agree with this philosophy of being devoted to someone's teachings in todays' times. Enter Father God's kingdom and get the true teachings from the source.

Acts 2:42 highlights a rhythm of devotion — not casual interest, but intentional immersion.

• The apostles’ teaching centered on Jesus as Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the call to repentance and new life.

• This wasn’t just theological — it was transformational. Their worldview shifted from law to grace, from temple to indwelling Spirit.

• In our time, devotion to sound teaching guards against false doctrine and fuels spiritual maturity.

3. Sharing and Caring for One Another

Acts 2:44–45 and 4:34 reveal a radical generosity that defied economic norms.

• Their giving wasn’t transactional — it was sacrificial and Spirit-led.

• They didn’t just meet needs; they dismantled poverty within their community.

• This models a theology of stewardship: trusting God enough to release resources for the good of others.

4. Worship and Fellowship

Their worship was both vertical (praising God) and horizontal (breaking bread together).

• Communion was not only remembrance but reaffirmation — a shared identity in Christ.

• “Glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46–47) reflect joy that flowed from grace, not circumstance.

• Fellowship wasn’t an event — it was a lifestyle of presence, vulnerability, and celebration.

5. Evangelistic and Mission-Oriented

Evangelism wasn’t a program — it was the natural overflow of transformed lives.

• The gospel spread organically and intentionally, through testimony and sending.

• Acts 2:47 shows that salvation was a daily reality, not a rare occurrence.

• The church didn’t wait for people to come — they went out, crossing borders and barriers.

6. Diverse but Equal

The inclusion of Gentiles, women, and the marginalized was revolutionary.

• Acts 10 (Peter and Cornelius) marks a theological earthquake: God shows no partiality.

• This wasn’t just social reform — it was divine revelation.

• The early church embodied Galatians 3:28 before it was written: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

7. Guided by Prayer and the Holy Spirit

Prayer wasn’t a ritual — it was their operating system.

• Acts 13:2–3 shows that decisions were birthed in worship and fasting, not strategy alone.

• The Spirit’s guidance was active, specific, and trusted.

• This invites today’s church to return to dependence — not on charisma or planning, but on divine direction.

Final Reflection:

The Acts community was:

A Spirit-empowered, Christ-centered, radically generous, and mission-driven fellowship — diverse in background, united in purpose, and devoted to truth, worship, and one another.

How do we know we are listening to the Right LORD?

 

How Can You Know You're Listening to the Right Lord?

As I reflect on this question, it becomes clear that true discernment begins with being part of God's kingdom. According to John 17:2, entrance into that kingdom comes through eternal life—a gift given by Jesus Christ.

But what is eternal life? Jesus defines it in John 17:3: it is the sure and intimate knowledge of the Father, the one true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. This isn't just intellectual assent; it's relational certainty.

So how can you know you're in the kingdom of God—and thus listening to the right Lord? Your life will reflect the character and example of Jesus. The way He lived on earth becomes the blueprint for those who truly follow Him. His compassion, truth, humility, and obedience to the Father are not just admirable traits—they're signs of kingdom citizenship.

Is God's Protection Absolute?

Sunday morning, I thought of an interesting question: Is God's protection absolute?

I was thinking about several things that led me to this question.

• We live in scary times. The United States of America is changing to an authoritarian style government under Trump and his regime. I am still hopeful that things might change to get us back to the American dream, that All Men are Created Equal, as the preamble to our constitution suggests. I have often thought about how badly non-white people have been treated by white people in the past. Maybe this is God giving us white people a taste of what we have dished out for so many years.
• Anyway, I remembered several things mentioned in the Bible and also things that Yeshua (Jesus) said.

In His final moments before the crucifixion, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed—not for Himself, but for those the Father had given Him. This intimate plea, recorded in John 17, reveals the heart of divine protection: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name” (John 17:12-15). These are not casual followers; they are citizens of the kingdom, reborn through faith, who know the Father and the Son and thus possess eternal life. Jesus’ request was not for worldly safety alone, but for spiritual preservation—protection from the evil one (John 17:15), sanctification through truth (John 17:17), and unity grounded in divine love. His prayer echoes through time, reminding us that eternal life is not merely a future promise but a present reality rooted in relationship. To know God is to be known by Him—and to be kept by Him. In a world of uncertainty, this assurance becomes our anchor: that those who belong to Christ are held securely in the hands of the Father.

This raises a profound question: if Jesus Himself asked the Father to protect His own, does that mean God’s protection is absolute? Or does it operate within a divine framework that allows suffering, testing, and growth? The answer may lie not in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of God through it. Protection, in the biblical sense, is not a guarantee of comfort—it is a promise of preservation. It is the assurance that no matter what trials we face, our identity in Christ remains secure, our purpose intact, and our eternal life untouched.

• Jesus is known as the Good Sheperd. The good shepherd protects his flock. Even when one sheep goes missing, he goes searching for it, relentlessly, until he finds it.

So is God’s protection absolute? In one sense, yes—because it is anchored in His character, not our circumstances. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals a divine commitment to preserve those who are His, not from every storm, but through them. The apostles faced persecution, believers today endure trials, and yet the promise remains: “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me” (John 17:12). This protection is not a shield from suffering but a seal of belonging. It is the assurance that no force—seen or unseen—can sever us from the love of God in Christ. To be protected by God is to be held in purpose, refined in truth, and sustained by grace. And that, perhaps, is the most absolute protection of all.

Lead Us to the Way

Lately, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the state of our United States of America. Under the leadership of Donald J. Trump, I fear we are drifting away from the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution and inching toward an autocracy—one increasingly shaped by the will of a single man.

I keep asking myself: Is there anything we can do to halt this progression—or at least slow it down? One word keeps rising to the surface: prayer.

Prayer is powerful. What if we began praying—not just for ourselves, but for one another? For our leaders, even those who seem to be leading us down dark and uncertain paths. For people across the globe, especially those caught in the devastation of war. What if we prayed without ceasing?

Jesus said:

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Let us pray that we all find the way—the truth about ourselves that leads to repentance and ultimately to eternal life. Imagine what eternal life truly means: freedom from sin, entrance into God’s kingdom, and the peace that surpasses understanding.

John 17:2–3 (NIV) “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

May we be led to the Way. May we know the truth. And may we live in the light of eternal peace.

Eternal Life

🌿 Eternal Life: Beyond Time and Into God's Kingdom

What Is Eternal Life?

I’ve often wondered why the Bible calls it eternal life. Jesus defines it in John 17:3 as knowing the Father, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. In the original Greek, the word translated “know” is ginosko—meaning to know absolutely, to be sure, to understand deeply.

So, what is eternal life? Is it simply living forever, or is it the fullness of knowing God? That question has lingered in my heart.

Time and the Human Condition

This morning, I was talking with my wife, and she offered a profound insight: it has to do with time. We live in a world governed by time. We’re born, we live for a finite span, and then we die. But in God’s realm, time doesn’t exist. He always was, and He always will be.

Because of sin, God set a limit on human life. Today, 120 years seems to be the outer boundary—a reflection, perhaps, of the declaration in Genesis 6:3. But this limit is not imposed on God. He exists outside of time, and His kingdom is timeless.

The Sons of God and the Nephilim

Genesis 6 introduces a mysterious and troubling moment: angels who separated themselves from Father God and took human wives. Their offspring—the Nephilim—were corrupt and violent. These beings may well be the origin of the gods in Greek mythology.

God instructed Noah to build the ark, a task that may have taken up to 120 years. During that time, warnings were given. The people were told of the coming flood, but they didn’t believe and refused to change. Eventually, judgment came. The flood destroyed everything except Noah, his family, and the creatures aboard the ark.

The Rise of Evil Spirits

I believe this is where evil spirits entered the world. When the Nephilim died, their spirits remained—disembodied and restless. They wander the earth, seeking human hosts to inhabit and possess. Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus and His disciples casting out these spirits, confronting their influence directly.

Returning to Eternal Life

In God’s kingdom, there are no time constraints. Eternal life is not just endless existence—it’s entrance into God’s timeless realm. It’s communion with the Father, through the Son.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6 (NIV)

“For you granted him [Jesus] authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” — John 17:2–3 (NIV)

The Kingdom Within Reach

Jesus came not only to save us, but to teach us about the kingdom of heaven—Father God’s kingdom. Though He is no longer physically present on earth, He continues to teach us through the Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Eternal life is not just a future promise—it’s a present reality for those who know God. It’s stepping out of time and into truth. It’s living in the fullness of divine relationship.

🛐 Reflection and Prayer

Reflection Question: Are you living with an awareness of eternity today? How does knowing God reshape your understanding of time and purpose?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of eternal life—not just as a promise of forever, but as a present invitation to know You deeply. Help me to live beyond the limits of time, anchored in Your truth and guided by Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in Your kingdom now, with eyes fixed on what is eternal. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Why the Gospel of John Is Essential to Study

Why the Gospel of John Matters Most

Introduction

The Gospel of John may be the most important book in the Bible to read and study. Its unique perspective, deep spiritual truths, and eyewitness testimony make it essential for anyone seeking to understand Jesus more fully.

John: The Beloved Disciple

• John, the apostle, is widely believed to be the author.

• He was among the first disciples Jesus called, alongside his brother James.

• John was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and glory.

• He was one of the three chosen to witness the transfiguration (Luke 9:28–36).

• Known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John stood at the cross with Mary, Jesus’ mother.

Jesus Entrusts Mary to John

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26–27, NIV)

This moment shows the depth of trust and love between Jesus and John.

Witness to the Resurrection

• John was among the first to see the empty tomb.

• He encountered the risen Christ during the forty days before the ascension.

• Imagine the conversations between John and Mary, living together for many years—the mother of Jesus and the disciple Jesus loved, sharing memories and truths only they could know.

Hidden Truths in John’s Gospel

The Gospel of John contains profound insights that reflect John’s unique closeness to Jesus. One of the most powerful passages is John 17, often called the High Priestly Prayer.

Key Themes in John 17

• Eternal Life Defined:

  “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3, NIV)

• Unity of Believers: Jesus prays that His followers may be one, just as He and the Father are one.

• Sanctification in Truth: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

• Sharing in Glory: Jesus desires that His followers see His glory and share in His love.

This prayer reveals Jesus’ mission—not only to glorify the Father but to draw us into eternal life, love, and unity with Him.

Conclusion

The Gospel of John is more than history—it is a window into the heart of Christ. Through John’s testimony, we see Jesus as the eternal Word, the Son of God, and the Savior who invites us into fellowship with Him. Studying this Gospel is an invitation to deeper faith, greater unity, and eternal life.