Thursday, April 17, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Tuesdays with Ezekiel (Chapter 16)
on April 27, 2021by Rick and Linda
From the shortest chapter in Ezekiel (15), we move to the longest chapter. Dan Block points out that chapter 16 is longer than six of the minor prophets. But what makes chapter 16 so memorable is not primarily its length but its content. It is one of the most evocative, emotional, disturbing sections of Scripture. The Lord gives Ezekiel an extended word-picture of Jerusalem’s spiritual infidelity that is graphic and grisly. Jerusalem is compared to a wife who, after having been saved and served by her divine Husband, opts to become a foolish prostitute with other gods and surrounding nations. After brazenly playing the whore, she receives the “blood of wrath and jealousy” from the Lord (38). Although we would expect a complete and final divorce, the Lord astounds once again by promising to establish an “everlasting covenant” (60) with the very one who broke His covenant (59).
This chapter is difficult to read but not difficult to understand. The chapter reads like a movie script, starting with the birth of an unwanted girl to a mixed marriage (Amorite and Hittite—3). This daughter was cast into an open field to die, left wallowing in her own blood, completely uncared for (4-5). But the Lord saw this orphaned, helpless child and showed compassion by giving her life (“‘Live’ I said to you . . . ‘Live’”—6). He takes the girl in and, when she has grown up, takes her as His bride (“entered into a covenant with you”—8). He cleans her up (9) and then lavishes her with the finest of clothing, jewelry and food (10-12). She becomes a queen (crowned—12), stunning in the beauty and splendor given her by the Lord (14).
Then, instead of hearing they “lived happily ever after,” the story line takes a dark turn. The queen goes rogue. Over the course of the next 20 verses (15-34), we read a sexually-explicit account of her infidelities. She plays the whore with false gods and surrounding nations. And she does it all at her own expense, paying her other lovers with the very riches and children she received from her divine Husband. The translators of the Hebrew text had a difficult time bringing some of the phrases into English in a way that would be appropriate for all-ages. This is no longer a G or PG movie.
The Lord—the divine Husband—is both broken hearted and outraged. He sentences her (Jerusalem) to a just but gruesome punishment. Her so-called lovers will be brought to turn on her, strip her bare and cut her to pieces, and burn her houses (39-41). Thus the Lord says He will “satisfy my wrath on you, and my jealousy shall depart from you, I will be calm and will be no more be angry” (42). This woman (Jerusalem) has proven to be more wicked than her “sisters”—Samaria and Sodom (46-51).
Trump Issues Holy Week Declaration on 'the Living Son of God', Plans White House Easter Service
President Donald Trump prays as he holds his first Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)
BENJAMIN GILL
04-14-2025
President Trump issued a faith-filled presidential message on Palm Sunday in honor of Holy Week as Christians around the world commemorate the holiest time of the year. And now there are reports that his administration is also planning a unique Easter staff worship ceremony at the White House with Rev. Franklin Graham as well as Pastors Greg Laurie and Jentezen Franklin.
Trump's Holy Week message wasn't a typical, obligatory, official government statement. Instead, it was filled with the type of language used by Christians, pointing to this week as being sacred to his personal faith, as his own post to Truth Social even declared, "HE IS RISEN!"
He declared, "This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity."
The White House statement referred to the pivotal events that filled this Holy Week, including Jesus' "triumphal entry into Jerusalem," Holy Thursday when His Last Supper took place, Good Friday as the day Christ was crucified for our sins, and finally "His miraculous Resurrection from the dead" on Sunday.
"During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness—signaling that death does not have the final word," Trump's statement continues.
BENJAMIN GILL
04-14-2025
President Trump issued a faith-filled presidential message on Palm Sunday in honor of Holy Week as Christians around the world commemorate the holiest time of the year. And now there are reports that his administration is also planning a unique Easter staff worship ceremony at the White House with Rev. Franklin Graham as well as Pastors Greg Laurie and Jentezen Franklin.
Trump's Holy Week message wasn't a typical, obligatory, official government statement. Instead, it was filled with the type of language used by Christians, pointing to this week as being sacred to his personal faith, as his own post to Truth Social even declared, "HE IS RISEN!"
He declared, "This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity."
The White House statement referred to the pivotal events that filled this Holy Week, including Jesus' "triumphal entry into Jerusalem," Holy Thursday when His Last Supper took place, Good Friday as the day Christ was crucified for our sins, and finally "His miraculous Resurrection from the dead" on Sunday.
"During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness—signaling that death does not have the final word," Trump's statement continues.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Saturday, April 12, 2025
The Foundation of Our Faith
The Lord will put new, vital force into His work as human agencies obey the command to go forth and proclaim the truth. He who declared that His truth would shine forever will proclaim this truth through faithful messengers, who will give the trumpet a certain sound. The truth will be criticized, scorned, and derided; but the closer it is examined and tested, the brighter it will shine.
As a people, we are to stand firm on the platform of eternal truth that has withstood test and trial. We are to hold to the sure pillars of our faith. The principles of truth that God has revealed to us are our only true foundation. They have made us what we are. The lapse of time has not lessened their value. It is the constant effort of the enemy to remove these truths from their setting, and to put in their place spurious theories. He will bring in everything that he possibly can to carry out his deceptive designs. But the Lord will raise up men of keen perception, who will give these truths their proper place in the plan of God.
I have been instructed by the heavenly messenger that some of the reasoning in the book Living Temple is unsound, and that this reasoning would lead astray the minds of those who are not thoroughly established on the foundation principles of present truth. It introduces that which is nought but speculation in regard to the personality of God and where His presence is. No one on this earth has a right to speculate on this question. The more fanciful theories are discussed, the less men will know of God and of the truth that sanctifies the soul.
One and another come to me, asking me to explain the positions taken in Living Temple. I reply, “They are unexplainable.” The sentiments expressed do not give a true knowledge of God. All through the book are passages of Scripture. These scriptures are brought in in such a way that error is made to appear as truth. Erroneous theories are presented in so pleasing a way that unless care is taken, many will be misled.
We need not the mysticism that is in this book. Those who entertain these sophistries will soon find themselves in a position where the enemy can talk with them, and lead them away from God. It is represented to me that the writer of this book is on a false track. He has lost sight of the distinguishing truths for this time. He knows not whither his steps are tending. The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error.
Americans Are Preparing for When All Hell Breaks Loose
Once thought of as a fringe mind-set, the prepared citizen movement is gaining traction in a world shaped by war, the pandemic and extreme weather.
Christopher Eric Roscher, an Air Force veteran, teaches a course called Full Contender Minuteman in Leesburg, Fla.Credit...Zack Wittman for The New York Times
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff
Thomas Gibbons-Neff reported from Leesburg and Orlando, Fla., and participated in the minuteman training described in the article. The New York Times paid to take the class.
April 9, 2025
Leer en español
Ten men, some wearing camouflage, others in vests loaded with ammunition for their AR-15 rifles, gathered under the morning shade of oak trees in Central Florida last month. They were there to learn marksmanship tactics common among Special Operation forces and elite law enforcement units.
Their instructor, Christopher Eric Roscher, an Air Force veteran, introduced himself and then led the group in prayer.
“Lord, you would use them as assets, to be protectors in this world, in a world that’s full of evil,” he prayed.
The men gathered around him were not soldiers, police officers or right-wing militia members. They were mostly civilians, including two pilots, a nurse and a construction company executive. The class’s title — Full Contender Minuteman — even referred to the civilians turned soldiers of the American Revolution.
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff
Thomas Gibbons-Neff reported from Leesburg and Orlando, Fla., and participated in the minuteman training described in the article. The New York Times paid to take the class.
April 9, 2025
Leer en español
Ten men, some wearing camouflage, others in vests loaded with ammunition for their AR-15 rifles, gathered under the morning shade of oak trees in Central Florida last month. They were there to learn marksmanship tactics common among Special Operation forces and elite law enforcement units.
Their instructor, Christopher Eric Roscher, an Air Force veteran, introduced himself and then led the group in prayer.
“Lord, you would use them as assets, to be protectors in this world, in a world that’s full of evil,” he prayed.
The men gathered around him were not soldiers, police officers or right-wing militia members. They were mostly civilians, including two pilots, a nurse and a construction company executive. The class’s title — Full Contender Minuteman — even referred to the civilians turned soldiers of the American Revolution.
Friday, April 11, 2025
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