11 November 2025

एक आदमी रात में यीशु के पास आया और बोला, “हे रब्बी, हम जानते हैं कि आप एक शिक्षक हैं जो परमेश्वर की ओर से आए हैं। क्योंकि यदि परमेश्वर उसके साथ न हों, तो कोई भी आपके जैसे चमत्कार नहीं कर सकता।”

यीशु ने उत्तर दिया, “मैं तुमसे सच-सच कहता हूँ, जब तक कोई नया जन्म न ले, परमेश्वर के राज्य को देख नहीं सकता।”

– नए नियम, पवित्र बाइबल (यूहन्ना 1:1-3) से।

यदि आप जानना चाहते हैं कि नया जन्म कैसे प्राप्त किया जाता है, तो आप “रोमन मार्ग” नामक मार्ग पर यात्रा कर सकते हैं। नहीं, यह भूमध्य सागर के आसपास रोमियों द्वारा बनाए गए प्राचीन राजमार्गों में से एक नहीं है। यह एक आध्यात्मिक यात्रा है, और इसका नक्शा नए नियम की एक अन्य पुस्तक “रोमियों” में मिलता है। यह रोम के ईसाई चर्च को ईश्वरीय प्रेरणा से लिखा गया एक पत्र है, जो यीशु मसीह की मृत्यु और पुनरुत्थान के लगभग बीस वर्ष बाद लिखा गया था। यदि आप वास्तव में परमेश्वर के साथ शांति स्थापित करना चाहते हैं, तो ये पद आपको अपना लक्ष्य प्राप्त करने में मदद करेंगे। लेकिन कोई गलती न करें।

कुछ लोग मानते हैं कि वे स्वर्ग जाएँगे क्योंकि उनका आचरण कुछ खास मानकों पर खरा उतरता है। या वे तर्क देते हैं कि अगर वे चोरी, झूठ, हत्या या व्यभिचार के लिए परमेश्वर को प्रसन्न करने हेतु कोई बलिदान देते हैं, तो परमेश्वर संतुष्ट होंगे। कुछ लोग वास्तव में मानते हैं कि अपने ईश्वर के नाम पर अपने शत्रुओं को मारने से उन्हें स्वर्ग जाने में मदद मिलेगी। बेतुका! परमेश्वर प्रेम है।

पश्चिमी संस्कृतियों में, कई लोग ग़लतफ़हमी में यह मान लेते हैं कि वे इसलिए बच जाते हैं क्योंकि वे जल बपतिस्मा लेते हैं और अपने चर्चों के रीति-रिवाज़ों का पालन करते हैं। कुछ लोग सोचते हैं कि अगर वे दूसरों के साथ अच्छा व्यवहार करते हैं, या ज़रूरतमंदों की मदद करते हैं, तो वे सर्वशक्तिमान परमेश्वर को संतुष्ट करेंगे। वे यह नहीं समझते कि कभी-कभार किए गए अच्छे काम उन्हें स्वर्ग पहुँचने में मदद नहीं करेंगे, न ही उन्हें अनंत न्याय से बचाएँगे।

बाइबल स्पष्ट रूप से बताती है: हममें से कोई भी अपने दम पर परमेश्वर की पवित्रता प्राप्त नहीं कर सकता। चूँकि अच्छे काम करके, दान देकर, या कुछ नियमों का पालन करके स्वर्ग जाने का विचार हमारे अहंकार को बढ़ाता है, इसलिए हममें से ज़्यादातर लोग ऐसे धर्म की तलाश करते हैं जो ये बातें सिखाता हो। कुछ लोग अनजाने में ही अपने लिए कुछ नियम बनाकर अपना धर्म बना लेते हैं जो उनके लिए कारगर लगते हैं, भले ही वे एक-दूसरे के विपरीत हों। लेकिन जो लोग स्वर्ग जाने का रास्ता खुद बनाने की कोशिश करते हैं, वे अंततः भ्रमित जीवन जीते हैं जो ईश्वर को संतुष्ट नहीं करेगा, क्योंकि उसकी धार्मिकता यह माँग करती है कि वह दया और न्याय का संतुलन बनाए रखे, और अन्यायियों को उसी तरह दंडित करे जैसे वह विश्वासियों को पुरस्कृत करता है।

हम पापरहित जीवन जीने के लिए पैदा हुए हैं, लेकिन हम असफल रहे हैं, और अपने अभिमान में हममें से ज़्यादातर लोग कभी-कभार कुछ अच्छा करके स्वर्ग जाने का रास्ता बनाने की कोशिश करते हैं। इतिहास के उन धनवान लोगों की कल्पना कीजिए जिन्होंने संभवतः कानून तोड़कर और अनगिनत लोगों को नुकसान पहुँचाकर अपनी संपत्ति अर्जित की। फिर भी, अपने जीवन के अंत में, उन्हें लगा कि उन्होंने भले ही पूरी दुनिया पा ली हो, लेकिन अपनी आत्मा खो दी। फिर, अपने पिछले जन्मों को सुधारने की निरर्थक कोशिश में, उन्होंने बड़ी मात्रा में धन दान कर दिया। बहुत देर हो चुकी थी कि उन्हें पता चला कि जीवन छोटा है, और ईश्वरविहीन अनंत काल अनंत है। राजनेता, कलाकार, वैज्ञानिक या इंजीनियर, आपने अपनी प्रतिभा का विकास किया होगा, लेकिन आपकी प्रतिभा इस दुनिया से आपके पास नहीं आई।

और अमीर हो या गरीब, कमज़ोर हो या ताकतवर, आप इतना लंबा जीवन नहीं जी सकते कि अपने किए बुरे कामों की भरपाई कर सकें। शायद कोई याद आपके मन में कौंध जाए, अतीत की एक झलक। यह परमेश्वर की पवित्र आत्मा का काम होगा, जो आपको किसी पाप की याद दिलाएगा और इन सच्चाइयों की पुष्टि करेगा। जब हमने कुछ बुरा किया, तो वे हमारे उन दिनों में अंतराल का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं जब हमें अच्छे काम करने चाहिए थे। वे उन गड्ढों की तरह हैं जो हमने अपने ही रास्तों में खोदे हैं, ऐसे जाल जो दूसरों को बाधा पहुँचाते और ठोकर खिलाते हैं। हम वापस जाकर उन्हें ठीक नहीं कर सकते या उन्हें समतल नहीं कर सकते। नुकसान हो चुका है, और उसे ठीक नहीं किया जा सकता। नुकसान को ठीक करने का अवसर उसी क्षण चला गया जब हमने वह कृत्य किया था। हम सभी जानते हैं कि क्रोध में बोले गए शब्दों को वापस नहीं लिया जा सकता। और जब हम चीजों को सुलझाने की कोशिश भी करते हैं, तो हम पीछे टूटे हुए दिल और बर्बाद जीवन छोड़ जाते हैं—यहाँ तक कि अपना भी। इसलिए जब हम खुद को माफ़ करने की कोशिश करते हैं, तो हम दूसरों को पहुँचाए गए नुकसान की भरपाई नहीं कर सकते। लेकिन परमेश्वर उन जगहों को ठीक कर सकते हैं जहाँ हम अक्सर नुकसान पहुँचाते हैं।

अगर हम स्वर्ग जाना चाहते हैं, तो हमें स्वर्ग के परमेश्वर के साथ शांति स्थापित करनी होगी। हमें उस संकरे रास्ते पर चलना होगा जो परमेश्वर की ओर ले जाता है। हमें अपने कर्मों पर नहीं, बल्कि परमेश्वर ने हमारे लिए जो कुछ किया है, उस पर निर्भर रहना चाहिए।

जिसे हम “रोमन मार्ग” कहते हैं, वह एक रोडमैप जैसा है, चरण-दर-चरण निर्देश जो आपको परमेश्वर की मेल-मिलाप की योजना दिखाते हैं। अगर आप इसका पालन करेंगे, तो यह आपको परमेश्वर के साथ अनंत संगति की ओर ले जाएगा। तो यह रहा:

1. सबसे पहले, आपको यह स्वीकार करना होगा कि परमेश्वर ही सब कुछ का रचयिता है, और परमेश्वर की बनाई हुई व्यवस्था और उद्देश्य में अपनी विनम्र स्थिति को स्वीकार करना होगा:

“क्योंकि जगत की सृष्टि के समय से उसके अनदेखे गुण, अर्थात् उसकी सनातन सामर्थ्य और परमेश्वरत्व, उसकी बनाई हुई वस्तुओं के द्वारा देखने में आते हैं, यहाँ तक कि वे निरुत्तर हैं। क्योंकि परमेश्वर को जानने पर भी उन्होंने परमेश्वर के योग्य महिमा और धन्यवाद न किया, परन्तु व्यर्थ विचार करने लगे, और उनके मूर्ख मन अन्धकारमय हो गए।” (रोमियों 1:20-21)।

2. फिर आपको स्वीकार करना होगा कि आप पापी हैं और आपको क्षमा की आवश्यकता है। हममें से कोई भी इसके योग्य नहीं है।

“क्योंकि सब ने पाप किया है और परमेश्वर की महिमा से रहित हैं।” (रोमियों 3:23)।

3. आपको यह समझना होगा कि केवल परमेश्वर ही क्षमा को संभव बनाता है। उसने हमें यीशु मसीह पर भरोसा करके जीवन की संभावना देकर अपना प्रेम दिखाया, जो हमारे पापों की सजा लेने के लिए हमारे स्थान पर मर गए।

“परन्तु परमेश्वर हम पर अपने प्रेम का प्रमाण इस रीति से देता है, कि जब हम पापी ही थे तभी मसीह हमारे लिये मरा।” (रोमियों 5:8)।

4. आपको अपने पापों पर विचार करना चाहिए, उन्हें करने के लिए सचमुच पछताना चाहिए, और फिर पश्चाताप करके अधर्मी कार्यों से दूर हो जाना चाहिए। यदि आप पापी बने रहते हैं, तो आप मर जाएँगे। हालाँकि, यदि आप अपने पापों का पश्चाताप करते हैं, और यीशु मसीह को अपना प्रभु और उद्धारकर्ता स्वीकार करते हैं, तो आपको अनन्त जीवन मिलेगा।

“क्योंकि पाप की मजदूरी तो मृत्यु है, परन्तु परमेश्वर का दान हमारे प्रभु यीशु मसीह में अनन्त जीवन है।” (रोमियों 6:23)।

5. आपको स्वयं को प्रभु यीशु मसीह के प्रति समर्पित करना होगा, अपने हृदय में सच्चा विश्वास करना होगा कि परमेश्वर ने उन्हें मरे हुओं में से जिलाया है, और आप उद्धार पाएँगे।

“यदि तू अपने मुँह से यीशु को प्रभु जानकर अंगीकार करे, और अपने हृदय से विश्वास करे कि परमेश्वर ने उसे मरे हुओं में से जिलाया है, तो तू निश्चय उद्धार पाएगा। क्योंकि धार्मिकता के लिये मन से विश्वास किया जाता है, और उद्धार के लिये मुँह से अंगीकार किया जाता है।” (रोमियों 10:9-10)।

यह इतना सरल है कि यह अवास्तविक लगता है। लेकिन इसके लिए किसी धार्मिक सूत्र या अनुष्ठान की आवश्यकता नहीं है। बस प्रभु का नाम पुकारें और आप उद्धार पाएँगे!

“क्योंकि जो कोई प्रभु का नाम लेगा, वह उद्धार पाएगा” (रोमियों 10:13)।

प्रतीक्षा न करें! अभी अपने हृदय में निश्चय करें कि यीशु मसीह को अपने जीवन का प्रभु बनाएँ।

“क्योंकि उसी की ओर से, उसी के द्वारा, और उसी के लिए सब कुछ है, उसी की महिमा युगानुयुग होती रहे। आमीन।” (रोमियों 11:36)।

यही रोमन मार्ग है। परमेश्वर की इस माँग को पूरा करने के लिए कि “तुम्हें नया जन्म लेना होगा, तुम्हें यही करना होगा।”

क्या तुम अपने पापों के दोष और बोझ को उतार फेंकने के लिए तैयार हो, ताकि राजाओं के राजा और प्रभुओं के प्रभु की पुनर्जन्म लेने वाली संतान होने की पवित्रता और आनंद का अनुभव कर सको? क्या तुम अभी परमेश्वर के उद्धार के उपहार को स्वीकार करने के लिए तैयार हो? अगर हाँ, तो ऊपर दिए गए पाँच पदों को फिर से पढ़ो। विश्वास करो कि यीशु मसीह ने तुम्हारे लिए क्या किया जब वह तुम्हारे लिए क्रूस पर मरा। अपने पापों का पश्चाताप करो, और अपना शेष जीवन उसे समर्पित करो।

कुछ इस तरह की प्रार्थना करने पर विचार करें:

“हे पिता, मुझे पता है कि मैंने आपके नियमों का उल्लंघन किया है, और मेरे पापों ने मुझे आपसे अलग कर दिया है। मुझे सचमुच खेद है, और अब मैं अपने पिछले पापमय जीवन से विमुख होकर आपकी ओर मुड़ना चाहता हूँ। कृपया मुझे क्षमा करें, और मुझे फिर से पाप न करने में मदद करें। मुझे विश्वास है कि आपके पुत्र, यीशु मसीह ने मेरे पापों के लिए अपनी जान दी, मृतकों में से पुनर्जीवित हुए, जीवित हैं, और मेरी प्रार्थनाएँ सुनते हैं। मैं यीशु को अपने जीवन का प्रभु बनने, आज से मेरे हृदय में शासन करने और राज करने के लिए आमंत्रित करता हूँ। कृपया अपनी पवित्र आत्मा मुझे आज्ञा मानने, मुझे सिखाने और मेरी रक्षा करने, मेरा मार्गदर्शन करने और मेरे जीवन में आशीषें लाने में मदद करने के लिए भेजें। मैं आपकी इच्छा पूरी करने के लिए खुद को प्रतिबद्ध करता हूँ, और आपका धन्यवाद करता हूँ कि जब यह जीवन समाप्त हो जाएगा, तो मैं हमेशा आपके साथ रहूँगा। मैं यीशु के नाम में प्रार्थना करता हूँ। आमीन।”

यदि आपने आज यीशु को स्वीकार करने का निर्णय लिया है, तो परमेश्वर के परिवार में आपका स्वागत है। अब, उनके और करीब आने के एक तरीके के रूप में, बाइबल हमें अपनी प्रतिबद्धता का पालन करने के लिए कहती है।

• “मन फिराओ, और तुम में से हर एक अपने पापों की क्षमा के लिए यीशु मसीह के नाम से बपतिस्मा ले; और तुम पवित्र आत्मा का दान पाओगे” (प्रेरितों 2:38)।

• मसीह की आज्ञा के अनुसार जल में बपतिस्मा लें।

• मसीह में अपने नए विश्वास के बारे में किसी और को बताएँ।

• हर दिन परमेश्वर के साथ समय बिताएँ। यह बहुत लंबा समय नहीं है। बस उनसे प्रार्थना करने और उनके वचन, बाइबल को पढ़ने की दैनिक आदत डालें। परमेश्वर से अपने विश्वास और बाइबल की समझ को बढ़ाने के लिए प्रार्थना करें।

• यीशु के अन्य अनुयायियों के साथ संगति करें। अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर देने और आपका समर्थन करने के लिए विश्वासी मित्रों का एक समूह बनाएँ।

• एक स्थानीय चर्च खोजें जहाँ आप परमेश्वर की आराधना कर सकें।

और परमेश्वर आपको भरपूर आशीष देंगे!

11 November 2025

如果你想知道如何重生，可以踏上所謂的「羅馬之路」。不，這並非羅馬人在地中海沿岸建造的古代大道。這是一段屬靈的旅程，而指引這條道路的地圖就藏在新約聖經的另一卷書──《羅馬書》中。這是一封神所默示的信，寫於耶穌基督死而復活約二十年後，寄給羅馬教會的。如果你真心渴望與神和好，這些經文將幫助你達成目標。但切記不要犯錯。

有些人認為，只要自己的行為符合某些標準，就能上天堂。或者他們認為，如果為了彌補偷竊、說謊、謀殺或通姦等罪行而做出某種犧牲來取悅上帝，上帝就會滿足。甚至有人相信，以神的名義殺害敵人就能幫助他們進入天堂。荒謬至極！上帝是愛。

在西方文化中，許多人誤以為只要接受水洗禮並遵守教會的規章制度就能得救。有些人覺得，只要善待他人或幫助有需要的人，就能取悅全能的上帝。他們不明白，偶爾的善行並不能幫助他們進入天堂，也不能使他們免受永恆的審判。

聖經指出一個顯而易見的事實：我們任何人都無法靠自己達到上帝的聖潔。由於透過行善、捐贈或遵守某些律法就能買到上天堂的觀念迎合了我們的驕傲，所以我們大多數人都在尋找一個宣揚這些教義的宗教。有些人無意識地創造了自己的宗教，他們制定了一套看似適合自己的規則，即使這些規則彼此矛盾。但所有試圖透過自己的方式進入天堂的人，最終都會過著混亂的生活，無法取悅上帝。因為上帝的公義要求他平衡仁慈與公正，懲罰不義之人，正如他獎賞忠誠之人一樣。

我們生來就應該過無罪的生活，但我們失敗了。出於驕傲，我們大多數人試圖透過偶爾行善來賺取進入天堂的資格。想想歷史上那些富人，他們很可能是透過違法犯罪、傷害無數人而累積了財富。然而，在生命的盡頭，他們意識到自己或許贏得了全世界，卻失去了自己的靈魂。於是，他們徒勞地試圖彌補過去的罪過，捐贈了大量的錢財。但為時已晚，他們才發現生命短暫，沒有上帝的永恆卻永無止境。政治家、藝術家、科學家或工程師，你或許發展了自己的才能，但你的天賦並非來自這個世界。

無論貧富，無論強弱，你都無法活到足以彌補你所犯的罪。或許，一段記憶在你腦海中閃過，讓你回想起過去。那是聖靈的作為，祂提醒​​你曾經犯下的罪，並印證這些真理。我們作惡的時刻，如同我們本應行善卻錯失良機的空白。它們就像是我們自己挖的坑，阻礙他人前行，絆倒別人。我們無法回到過去修補或抹平它們。傷害已經造成，無法挽回。當我們犯下罪行的那一刻，彌補的機會就已經消失。我們都知道，憤怒之下說出的話語無法收回。即使我們試圖緩和關係，最終留下的也只是破碎的心和被毀掉的人生──甚至包括我們自己的生命。所以，即便我們試圖為自己開脫，也無法彌補我們對他人造成的傷害。但上帝能夠醫治我們常常傷害的地方。

如果我們想上天堂，就必須與天上的神和好。我們需要走那條通往神的窄路。我們不能倚靠自己的行為，而要倚靠神已經為我們所成就的一切。

我們稱之為「羅馬之路」的，就像一張路線圖，一步一步地指引你，讓你看見神和好的計畫。如果你跟隨它，它將引領你與神永遠相交。以下是具體步驟：

1. 首先，你必須承認神是萬物的創造者，接受你在神創造的秩序和旨意中謙卑的地位：

「自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當作神榮耀他，也不感謝他。他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心昏暗了。」（羅馬書 1:20-21）

2. 然後，你必須承認自己是罪人，需要被饒恕。我們無人配得饒恕。

「因為世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。」（羅馬書 3:23）

3. 你必須明白，唯有神才能赦免罪過。祂藉著賜給我們生命的可能，向我們顯明祂的愛。這生命源自於我們信靠耶穌基督，祂為我們而死，替我們承擔了罪的刑罰。

「惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。」（羅馬書 5:8）

4. 你必須反省自己的罪，真心悔改，遠離不敬虔的行為。如果你繼續作罪人，你必死。然而，如果你悔改你的罪，接受耶穌基督為你的主和救主，你將獲得永生。

「因為罪的工價乃是死；惟有神的恩賜，在我們的主基督耶穌裡，乃是永生。」（馬太福音 10:12） （羅馬書 6:23）

5. 你必須降服耶穌基督，承認祂為主，真心相信神使祂從死裡復活，你必得救。

「你若口裡認耶穌為主，心裡信神叫祂從死裡復活，就必得救。因為人心裡相信，就可以稱義；口裡承認，就可以得救。」（羅馬書 10:9-10）

這道理如此簡單，似乎難以置信。但得救並不需要任何宗教儀式或規則。只要呼求主的名，你必得救！

「凡求告主名的，就必得救。」（羅馬書 10:13）

不要猶豫！現在就下定決心，讓耶穌基督成為你生命的主。

「因為萬有都是本於祂，倚靠祂，歸給祂。願榮耀歸給祂，直到永遠。阿們。」（羅馬書 11:36）

這就是羅馬之路。這就是你為了滿足上帝「你必須重生」的要求而要做的事。

你是否準備好卸下罪孽的重擔，感受作為萬王之王、萬主之主重生兒女的純潔與喜樂？你是否準備好接受上帝現在就所賜的救恩？如果是，請重讀以上五節經文。相信耶穌基督在十字架上為你捨命所成就的一切。悔改你的罪，並將你餘生交託給他。

不妨這樣禱告：

「天父，我知道我違背了您的律法，我的罪使我與您隔絕。我真心悔改，現在我願離棄過去罪惡的生活，歸向您。求您饒恕我，幫助我不再犯罪。我相信您的愛子耶穌基督為我的罪而死，從死裡復活，如今活著，並且垂聽我的禱告。我邀請耶穌成為我生命的主，從今天起，祂在我心中掌權作王。

如果您今天決定接受耶穌，歡迎加入神的大家庭。聖經教導我們，要持守我們的承諾，才能與祂更親近。

• 「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。」（使徒行傳 2:38）

• 依照基督的吩咐接受水洗禮。

• 將你對基督的新信仰告訴別人。

• 每天花時間親近神。不必時間很長，只需養成每天禱告和閱讀聖經的習慣。祈求神加增你的信心和對聖經的理解。

• 尋求與其他耶穌的跟隨者團契。建立一個由信徒朋友組成的小組，他們可以解答你的疑問，支持你。

• 找一間可以敬拜神的當地教會。

神必豐盛祝福你！

November 11, 2025

A man came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. for no one could perform the miracles you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

– From the New Testament, the Holy Bible (John 1:1-3).

If you wish to know how to be born again, you may journey down what is called the “Roman Road.” No, this is not one of the ancient highways built by the Romans around the Mediterranean basin. This is a spiritual journey, and the map is found in another book of the New Testament called “Romans.” It is a divinely inspired letter to the Christian church at Rome, penned about twenty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you are sincerely interested in making peace with God, these verses will help you achieve your goal. But don’t make a mistake.

Some people believe that they will go to heaven because their behavior meets certain standards. Or they reason that if they make some sort of sacrifice to appease God for stealing, lying, murdering, or committing adultery, that God will be satisfied. Others actually believe that killing their enemies in the name of their god will actually help them get to heaven. Absurd! God is love.

In western cultures, many mistakenly believe they are saved because they submit to water baptism and follow the practices of their churches. Some feel that if they treat other people reasonably well, or contribute to those in need, they will will satisfy almighty God. They don’t understand that occasional good works won’t help them reach heaven, nor save them from eternal judgment.

The Bible points out the obvious: None of us can achieve God’s holiness on our own. Since the idea of our buying our way to heaven by doing good works or making charitable donations, or satisfying certain laws appeals to our pride, most of us search for a religion that teaches these things. Others unconsciously create their own religion by establishing their own a set of rules that seem to work for them, even if they contradict one another. But all who try to make their own way to heaven wind up living confused lives that won’t satisfy God, for his righteousness requires that he balance mercy with justice, and penalizes the unjust just as he will reward the faithful.

We were born to live sinless lives, but we have failed, and in our pride most of us try to earn our way to heaven by doing occasionally doing something good. Picture the rich men of history who very likely accumulated their wealth by breaking laws and harming countless people. Yet, at the end of their lives, they sensed that they may have gained the whole world, but lost their own souls. Then, in a futile attempt to correct their past lives, they gave away large amounts of money. Too late they discovered that life is short, and a godless eternity is without end. Statesman, artist, scientist or engineer, you may have developed your talents, but your genius did not come to you from this world.

And rich or poor, weak or strong, you cannot live long enough to make up for the evil things you may have done. Perhaps a memory just flashed through your mind, a glimpse back at the past. That would be the work of the Holy Spirit of God, reminding you of some sin, and attesting to these truths. Those times when we did something bad represent gaps in our days when we should have been doing good things. They are like potholes we dug in our own pathways, traps that hindered and stumbled others. We cannot go back and repair them or smooth them over. The damage is done, and cannot be undone. The opportunity to correct the damage was gone the moment we committed the act. We all know that words spoken in anger cannot be retrieved. And even when we try to smooth things over, we leave behind broken hearts and ruined lives—even our own. So while we try to excuse ourselves, we cannot undo the damage we have caused to others. But God can heal where we often harm.

If we want to go to heaven, we must make peace with the God of heaven. We need to take the narrow path that leads to God. We must not rely on our own works, but rather on what God has already done for us.

What we call “The Roman Road” is something like a road map, step-by-step directions that show you God’s plan of reconciliation. If you follow it, it will lead you to eternal fellowship with God. So here it is:

1. First, you must acknowledge God is the Creator of everything, accepting your humble position in God’s created order and purpose:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21).

2. Then you must confess that you are a sinner and that you need forgiveness. None of us are worthy.

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

3. You must understand that only God makes forgiveness possible. He showed us His love by giving us the potential for life by trusting Jesus Christ who died in our place to take the punishment for our sins.

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

4. You must consider your sins, be truly be sorry for committing them. Then you must truly repent and turn from ungodly practices. If you remain a sinner, you will die, but if you turn from your sins, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will have eternal life.

”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

5. You must yield yourself to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. Don’t worry, he loves you a lot more than you do. And he has the power to help you. Only you must truly believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

”That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

It’s so simple that it seems unrealistic. But there are no religious formulas or rituals required. Just call upon the name of Jesus Christ and you will be saved!

“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Don’t wait! Do it right now! Make Jesus Christ the Savior and Lord of your life.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36).

Well, that’s it! That is the Roman Road. That is what you need to do in order to satisfy God’s requirement that “You must be born again.”

Are you ready to cast off the guilt and burden of the sin you bear, to feel the purity and joy of being a born again child of the King of kings and Lord of lords? Are you ready to accept God’s gift of salvation now? If so, go back through those five verses above. Believe in what Jesus Christ did for you when he died for you on the cross. Repent of your sins, and commit the rest of your life to Him.

Consider saying a prayer something like this one:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws, and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayers. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey,to teach and protect me, to guide me, and to bring blessings to my life. I commit myself to doyour will, and thank you that, when this life is over, I will live with you forever. It’s in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.”

If you decided to receive Jesus today, welcome to God’s family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

• Be baptized in water as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word, the Bible. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

And God will bless you richly!

______________

Note: The concept of the “Roman Road to Salvation” is commonly attributed to Jack Hyles, a pastor from East Texas. He introduced it in the 1940s, basing it on key verses from the book of Romans, and used it in his 1962 book, Let’s Go Soul Winning. I actually had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Hyles about 1976 when he pastored the huge First Baptist Church, in Hammond, Indiana. It was during one of his annual pastor’s schools, with over 5,000 in attendance. We were passing in a hall when he stopped to ask me, “Is it raining outside.” I later joked that I’m probably one of few pastors of whom Hyles ever asked an opinion. It was through the sale of his books to thousands of people from all over the world that helped spread the “Roman Road” globally.

November 8, 2025

The Green Prince: Fact or Fiction?

The eldest son of one of the co-founders of Hamas, a devout Palestinian Muslim, an enthusiastic supporter of resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank, a political prisoner turned spy for Israel, a convert to Christianity, a recipient of asylum in the United States, author and conference speaker. Sounds like it could be a best-selling book—because it is, a 2010 autobiography fittingly entitled, “Son of Hamas,” that rose to #11 on the New York Times hardcover non-fiction list.

It is the true story of Mosab Hassan Yousef who despite his familial ties to the ideology and governance of Hamas in the West Bank became disillusioned after observing the organization’s violent tactics and internal corruption. For ten years he worked for Shin Bet, Israel’s top security agency under the code name, the Green Prince, a reference to the color of the flag of Hamas and to his being the son of a high-ranking Hamas leader. Israel has since credited Yousef’s intelligence with saving hundreds of lives, both Israeli and Palestinian.

Around the age of twenty, while working with Christian tourists in the West Bank, one of them handed him a New Testament, which he began reading secretly. Profoundly affected by Matthew 5:44 in particular in which Jesus commanded his disciples to love one’s enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, Yousef began quietly attending Bible studies in Jerusalem led by Messianic Jews and foreign missionaries, and at the age of 27 he entered the waters of baptism in Tel Aviv.

If you would like to learn more, you’ll find a suspenseful 2014 documentary about his life on YouTube, entitled, “The Green Prince.” Never underestimate the power of sharing God’s Word with anyone.

Daniel McCabe

Trivia

By now you probably know that the Hebrew language is written from right to left, but how do Hebrew speakers write a math equation?

A. 3 + 5 = 8, left to right, just like written English
B. 8 = 5 + 3, right to left, just like written Hebrew
C. Both are common and acceptable.

Watching Jesus Pray, part 2

(Luke 22:39-46)

What do we learn about prayer from watching Jesus pray the night before he was crucified?

I. Prayer was a habit for him (vs. 39-41).

a. Did you notice that little phrase in v. 39, “as He was accustomed”? For him prayer wasn’t hit and miss. It was a habit for him to pray.

Is prayer a habit for you? Everyone has habits. Good ones and bad ones. Here’s a good one. If you will pray once a day for 30 days, then there’s a good chance you’ll pray once a day for the next 30 years.

b. Also, notice the phrase, “coming out,” in v. 39. Jesus got away from the people and the noise of the big city. He found a quiet place where people weren’t asking him questions or begging for miracles. He separated himself from pressures and responsibilities so that he could talk to his Father.

Find a time when you can get away from your spouse, your children, the TV, your phone and the computer. Slow down long enough in your day to pray. It wouldn’t be hard to argue that Jesus had more important responsibilities than you and me, yet he always found time to pray.

c. This passage also tells us in v. 40 that “He came to the place.” Apparently he came to the same place to pray over and over again. Maybe he found one particular olive tree that he enjoyed sitting beside or a flat rock that he could stretch out on, but he regularly returned to this exact spot to meet God.

Meet God wherever you want. Your back porch, your bedroom, the living room recliner, your office cubicle over lunch or the side of your baby’s crib when he or she is taking a nap. Find “your” place.

d. Not only did Jesus get away from all the activity of his ministry to a familiar place, but he went there alone. In v. 41 we read, “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw.” He loved the company of his disciples, but he didn’t always want them around when he prayed.

Pray before the kids wake up or after they go to bed. Same with your spouse or parents. Find some “you and God” time. Men, I hope you are leading your wives in prayer at meals or during a separate Bible reading time, but don’t substitute that for the time that you need to be alone with God.

–Daniel McCabe

“The Guardians of the City,” part 3

On Location: The Neighborhood of Mea Shearim–

Inside the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim you may meet or observe members of Neturei Karta (Aramaic for “Guardians of the City”), a small Jewish sect founded in 1935, which opposes any involvement in the Zionist movement and has never recognized Israel as a legitimate Jewish state. This group believes that a Jewish state should only be established by the Messiah and that it is illegal otherwise to take or maintain the Holy Land by force. Therefore, they don’t publicly support any form of confrontation with the Arab people. In fact, they blame atheistic ideology within Zionism for provoking the wars fought in the region since the formation of Israel, so in solidarity with Arab nations you’ll see Palestinian flags flown above or painted on their homes or businesses. You’ll also notice a lot of anti-Israel graffiti. Neturei Karta accuses the secular founders of Zionism of self-serving political decisions during World War 2, even suggesting controversially that the Zionists prioritized their own nationalistic agenda over the loss of many Jewish lives in the Holocaust. Due to their poverty the Neturei Karta (along with other ultra-Orthodox groups) pay little or no income tax, and they receive exemptions from military service.

–Daniel McCabe

Bibliology – The Canonicity of Scripture, part 5

Let’s talk briefly about canonicity, meaning how we settled on the books that we have in our Bibles today. A lot could be said about this. There’s even a whole field of study that covers how we got both the Old and the New Testament, and it’s a fascinating study. Here I’ll be addressing the books of both the Old and New Testament as reflected in the Protestant canon, according to the Western tradition.

There are sixty-six such canonical books which cover Genesis through Revelation. They weren’t determined to be canonical by the judgment of any one individual, and it’s not like the early church councils simply picked and chose whatever book they wanted in the Bible. That’s how the skeptics often characterize it, “They were censoring information, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, for example, didn’t make it in the canon due to political pressures.” But that’s not how it worked. The books that we have were recognized as canonical due to their divinely inspired origin. The early church councils came together and said, “We know this was written by an apostle. We know Paul’s letter to the Romans definitely should be in the canon of Scripture. We recognize that the Spirit used Paul to write this letter.” Faithful people came together and discerned what was truly Scripture.

The early church was familiar with the Old Testament. In fact, it was the Bible that Jesus and the apostles used, and so the New Testament books were recognized as Scripture in large part due to their agreement with the Old Testament. Indeed, the New Testament helps us understand the Old Testament, and the Old Testament’s meaning did not change. Jesus and the apostles didn’t come along and change anything. The Old Testament has always meant what it meant, and it still means what it meant, and then the New Testament provided additional revelation that the early church councils soon recognized as Scripture. They didn’t pick and choose, but instead recognized what books were canonical due to their divinely inspired origin.

It’s worth mentioning too that apocryphal works, such as 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Judith, and Tobit, are not divinely inspired and thus should not be considered canonical. I think they’re good reads and we should know what’s in them, for they do have value. We can certainly learn from them, but they are not divinely inspired.

Finally, let me add that no additional works should be added to the canon of Scripture, regardless of authorship. I hold to a closed canon. Even if we were to theoretically discover another letter by Paul, one to the church of Laodicea, for example, I don’t think it should be added to the canon in part because it’s the writings that are inspired, not the author. Admittedly, I would certainly read it if we found it, for surely it would offer wisdom and good guidance, but I would not see it on the same authoritative, biblical level as Romans and Galatians.

So, this completes our look into the main points of the theology of bibliology. I hope that you’ve enjoyed this series as much as I have.

–Adam Keim

Name That Fruit!

I have two more for you today.

1. It looks somewhat like a small, pear-shaped apricot with a hard brown pit at its center. When ripe its fuzzy skin can easily be peeled off and the fruit split in two. You can even eat the peel if you like. It’s high in Vitamin A, fiber, potassium and manganese, and it has a tangy sweet taste.

2. It looks like a giant green grapefruit, but It’s often sold in Israeli grocery stores pre-packaged, peeled and segmented. It has a very thick pith, and some say it tastes like a grapefruit, though sweeter, milder and minus the tang of citrus.

–Daniel McCabe

Answer to the Trivia

A. 3 + 5 = 8, left to right, just like written English

Answer to “Name That Fruit”

The church of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14)

November 8, 2025

Three different optometrists have advised me to use eye drops every two hours during the day, because my corneas are badly damaged. They are confident that progressively worse eye sight will finally convince me that I will go blind unless I undergo a partial corneal transplant.

Apart from vision problems, many of the teeth in my mouth are artificial, but who’s to tell? I wear hearing aids, which don’t provide reliable hearing, and I have lost most of my thick curly hair. Although two of my cancers have disappeared, I still have a malignant mass that one doctor described as of little consequence compared to my former problems, and when considered against my heart and circulatory issues.

In short, the reports indicate I’m a physical mess, but the fact is that I recently climbed ladders to paint the interior of our home; I’m very active every day; I walk, lift weights, and even have another book being published this year.

Strangers frequently comment on my relatively youthful appearance, which is unusual in an 85-year old man. It’s true that modern medicine has extended many lives, so that it’s sometimes said, “60 is the new 40.” So maybe 85 is the new 65.

I attribute my longevity to the loving care of the Lord. But however long I have left, what matters is that I live it well, and that my behavior and accomplishments redound to the glory of God. There will be an end for all of us, unless the Lord returns and takes his own out of this world. For the Bible states, “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

So much for inner health and outward appearance. Looks can be deceiving, as we know by comparing the outward beauty of Hollywood stars with their inner moral character, or lack there of.

As his fictional character, John Claggart, observed in Herman Melville’s unfinished novella, Billy Budd, “Beauty is as beauty does.” That is to say, true beauty is defined by one’s actions and character rather than by one’s physical appearance (which was given by God).

So as we examine our own lives and consider the lives of family members, friends, as well as notable and notorious people in the news, we often see a great disconnect between the reputations they carefully construct and their true and hidden motives and desires.

Thus the apostle Paul wrote to us Christians that we should not be hypocrites, but should be consistent in our thoughts and conduct:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

How in the world can we be sacrificial, like those bulls and goats that were slain in ancient times, and yet live? It seems like a contradiction in terms. And what do we do to renew our minds so that we are transformed? The clue lies in other passages that Paul wrote. He was in Rome at the time, under house arrest, and awaiting Caesar’s verdict, because, as a Roman citizen, he had the right to appeal to the emperor because he had been unfairly charged with a capital crime.

During that period, between the years 60 and 62 AD, he wrote four letters. In one of them, he made this brief but profound statement: “For me to live is Christ, and to dies is gain” (Ephesians 1:21).

Paul was so confident of his eternal salvation—that he would experience new life after death, and that it would be a far better existence than this that we now experience—so that he would write, “to die is gain.”

But he wasn’t rushing God to end his trials on earth because he knew that he had important and gratifying work to do for as long as God chose to leave him here.

Why do I bring up Paul’s letter to the Romans, written around 57 AD from Corinth, in conjunction with John’s discussion of the church at Laodicea, which was penned 40 years later? One good reason is because Paul was fundamental in establishing that church at Laodicea, and his teaching and doctrine had been foundational. And if he had not long since been martyred, following a second Roman imprisonment, he would have been very sad to see the depths to which the Laodicean church had sunk, along with four of the six other churches that Jesus criticized in the second and third chapters of The Revelation.

The churches of Asia Minor, to whom John penned Christ’s warnings in The Revelation, had most certainly heard the letter to the Romans read many times. Paul had sent out the evangelist church planters who founded “the church of the Laodiceans,” but was considered their bishop and loving mentor.

So when he begged the readers of Romans to present their bodies as “living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” the Laodiceans knew that they were included in his appeal.

Hey, readers of Romans everywhere and through all time, I’m not asking anything extraordinary of you., so “…be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed….” (Romans 12:2).

This business of transformation is clearly a dual effort: Christ has already provided for our transformation through his death, resurrection, and provision of the Holy Spirit, so we have the potential, by prayerfully studying and living out his Word, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Our transformation and the renewal of our minds requires two things: First, the Holy Spirit will make available, when and if we sincerely seek it, the light, wisdom and power to achieve that goal; those things were already assured us at the birth of Christ’s Church when he gave us the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20, and a succinct promise Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Second, the renewal of our minds requires that we pray daily for that light, wisdom, and power, that we prayerfully search God’s Word, assimilating and experiencing those grand truths, not merely becoming familiar with them, but proving in the course of our trials that his word is truth, finding ourselves progressively stronger (edified, and more sanctified (separated from sin), and that our progress is recognized by the world.

So Paul states our objective, “…that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

But that goal is not achieved by every one who claims he or she is a Christian. Each of us—not our families, not our churches, nor the person to whom we are joined in marriage—can do it for us. We take pride in being masters of our fate. So each of us must take personal responsibility. Therefore, Paul exhorts us:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

After Paul wrote in Romans that we are to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, he went on to say something else that would impact not only the Laodicean Christians, but everyone through all time, including you and me:

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man (and woman, boy, and girl) that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly….” (Romans: 12:3).

If you’ve read the account of the church of the Laodiceans, did you notice that his introductory remarks differ from those to the other six churches? Here Jesus says:

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write…” (Rev 3:14).

To the others, he writes something like, “And to the angel of the church in,” or at, a given city. Here he says that the church is “… of the Laodiceans,” which implies that the church is governed by the moral values of the people of Laodicea, of the world, and not by a group of appreciateive blood-bought souls,nor guided by the truths in God’s Word.

John wrote at the end of the first century, decades after the founding of that church, and it’s clear that the people had drifted far from God. We’re told that they thought very highly of themselves, and not at all of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:3. Yet it is not the words of Paul’s spirit alone that condemns them, but the voice of the eternal Jesus Christ himself.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

When you were saved,you hopefully felt an enormous sense of your own unworthiness, and immense gratitude that an incredible burden of guilt and shame was lifted from your heart. Did you later notice how quickly you forgot that the Savior holds your life in balance, and how quickly you can be enticed by the world, the flesh, and the devil to forsake him for the things of this present world?

Consider those Laodiceans. Our Lord begins with:

They were immensely proud. The believed they were self-sufficient, and were therefore self-satisfied. They foolishly believed that they were somehow responsible for their physical prosperity, and they ceased to see God in the midst of their lives. So Jesus cleared the air:

“These things saith the A-men, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy work” (Rev 3:14-15).

Jesus isn’t simply waiting to search through the book of life at the judgment, but he’s keeping track now. He’s omniscient and all knowing, and far better than any imaginary Santa Claus, “…he knows when you’ve been sleeping, he knows when you’re away, he knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.” He told those Laodiceans, I know thy works!”

Are we just going through the motions, simply saying and doing publicly what is required of us to maintain stature among our contemporaries, saying and doing publicly what is expected among our contemporaries and acceptable in church, while we are truly hypocrites, behaving badly to our mate or children, or holding in bitterness and hatred toward others? Do we deceive ourselves that God can’t see?

You may say, “Hey, I’m not so bad; if anyone should get to heaven, I should.” Really? So you’re making up your own rules and construction your own convenient religion?

Look at what Jesus said to that self-satisfied bunch of hypocrites at Laodicea who had ignored their founder’s exhortation to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

Most people like their coffee either piping hot or ice cold. Few enjoy a soft drink at room temperature. But our spiritual states, our motives, and the works that flow from them, are of vital concern to God. It’s difficult to imagine a more dramatic picture of God’s feelings toward those who claim to be his children, yet are merely “lukewarm,” and of hearing the Master say that he will, not that he may, but will, “…spew you out of my mouth.”

His words are graphic, and shouldn’t be watered down in order to please polite society. If you’ve ever been violently ill, if you’ve ever eaten something infected with salmonella or food poisoning, you know how violently your body will react to save your life. You don’t just spit something out. Your body reacts violently, uncontrollably spewing its contents wherever you happen to be facing.

Can you then imagine what wrath our Lord feels toward those who, in reality, trample his gift of life under their feet, who are so self-satisfied that they become indifferent to his sacred sacrifice?

You may question whether these lukewarm people in the church of the Laodiceans were truly saved. Jesus did not absolve a single member, not even the angel, from this sin. All were lukewarm. Our Lord had nothing good to say about any of them.

Instead he offered one final, fatal, last chance. If his words applies to you or me, we’d be fools not to take heed. He that hat an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 3:22).

And what was his specific soul-saving counsel to each Laodicean Christian, and to us?

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Rev 3:18).

Wait! Isn’t John picturing our merciful, loving, forgiving, benevolent Lord, as vindictive? Actually, he is. He’s giving the adherents of this church one last chance, fo this next words are:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev 3:19).

Isn’t that a command to every preacher? “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). Isn’t that precisely what our Lord is doing here for the church of the Laodiceans, and for you and me? He’s trying to pull us through, often in spite of ourselves!

Then Jesus made them the twin offers of salvation and renewal, first to any lost who had joined themselves to the church, then to the backsliders:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20.

Do you sense him knocking at the door of your heart right now? Just open the door, put aside fear and regret, aand put your broken pride to death, and he will come in and begin a profound friendship with you such as you could never imagine.

Consider the promise he makes to the fallen Laodiceans. He is not only holding out an olive branch of mercy to you, but forgiveness, and joy and peace.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Did a single person in the church of the Laodiceans heed our Lord’s words?

More importantly, will you?

For the seventh time in the two chapters, Jesus concludes:

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Week Forty-Five, 2025

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life(John 3:16).

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS?

Bill Bright was the founder of CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ). He started this missions organization out of a great desire to reach college students. A large part of CRU’s ministry is evangelism and outreach. Many people have been in churches but have never accepted the gospel for themselves. Many people have never heard of Jesus before. Bill decided to create a booklet called, “Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?”

The four laws are simple and biblical and have led thousands upon thousands to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They are:

1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

The first spiritual law starts by explaining that God loves you. Many people have never heard this before. They may have heard that God is always mad at them or does not care about their small lives. However, John 3:16 shares that because God loves the world, He sent Jesus so that we could have eternal life with Him. This is why the gospel is called the “good news.”

2. We are sinful and separated from God. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

In order for anyone to see their need for a Savior, they must come to the reality that they are sinful. Romans 3:23 tells us that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. This spiritual law explains that we had a right relationship with our Creator God, but we chose to sin. We rebelled against Him and broke that unity. There is nothing that we can do to erase sin. We can strive to reach Him through good deeds, religion, or philosophy, but it does not address the sin that separates us.

3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Him alone we can know God personally and experience God’s love and plan.

Romans 5:8 shares that Christ demonstrated His love by dying on the cross for us. Jesus became the payment for the price of all our sins. Then, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 says that He rose from the dead.

4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

The fourth spiritual law comes to a place of decision. It is one thing to hear this, but it is another to personally accept this gift of salvation. John 1:12 says that in receiving Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf, we become children of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we receive Christ through faith by His grace. When we receive Christ, we experience rebirth. We are spiritually reborn. John 3:1-8 tells of Jesus teaching this concept to Nicodemus. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, our hearts are made new and the Holy Spirit enters, sealing us as God’s own.

Review these four spiritual laws, do and believe what they say, and you will be saved.

Sometimes True Stories

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)

And what does the Lord require of you?

Act Justly… That is, to be honest; conforming to a standard of correctness; faithful to the original design.

Love Mercy… Forgiving; compassionate; withholding of the punishment that our sins deserve (Faithfulness—firm in adherence; utterly loyal).

Walk Humbly With God… To not think too highly of oneself; to bring low or prostrate; a show of submission; can imply meekness or gentleness.

Just as Micah shared this Word from the Lord to the people of Israel, this same message rings true today. Yet, we as a people, have seemingly forgotten what is required of us:

• To act justly.
• To love mercy.
• To walk humbly with your God.

A statement for the ages. Seems to me that if God said it, we might want to take heed and listen… and incorporate it into our day-to-day life. Maybe if we developed a campaign slogan, filmed a TV commercial, made a bumper sticker, or created a t-shirt, we could better remember. —Marty Stubblefield

– 0 –

“The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:10-11)

Heading 3

Often, when believers experience hard times, they say, “Don’t worry, God is still on His throne.” That’s meant to be a reassuring statement. Since we experience difficulties all the time, however, we can remove the word “still” from that phrase. Thankfully, God is, and always has been and always will be, on His throne.

A throne is a symbol of authority and lordship over territory and people. Since God is the Creator of all that is, He has authority and lordship over all that is—including you, me, and everything else. And it encompasses good times and bad.

So, God is on His throne. Make Him your God by placing your trust in Messiah Jesus, and He will always be on His throne for you. —Rich Jensen

Quotes You Can Use

Savings can be created by spending less. You can spend less if you desire less. And you will desire less if you care less about what others think of you.

Your diet is not only what you eat. It is what you watch, what you listen to, what you read and the people you hang around with. Pay attention to what you feed your soul, not just your stomach.

Repentance is as much a mark of a Christian as faith is. What the world calls a very little sin is a very great sin to a true Christian. —Charles Spurgeon

No matter how far you have walked away from God, the return trip is only one step.

We must never cease to pray for our children. No case is hopeless for Jesus. —Charles Spurgeon

Success is not about a new car or a new job, house, or career. Success is when Jesus Christ writes your name in His book of life. (cf. Revelation 3:5; 21:27)

If you are a Christian, you cannot vote for a person or party that slays babies in the womb. —John MacArthur

The devil is not after the lost. He is after the found. (cf. 1 Peter 5:8)

Prayer is simply too great a privilege for any Christian to ignore and too great a necessity for any of us to neglect. —Alistair Begg

Morality may keep you out of jail. But it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell. —Charles Spurgeon

The Pharisees prove that a person can spend a lifetime in the scriptures and not know God.

If God gives you a few more years, remember that it is not yours. Your time, your home, your activity, and everything you do must honor God. —A.W. Tozer

Worship must not be designed to please the unbeliever. Worship should be designed to please God. —R.C. Sproul

Brains of older are slower because they know so much. It just takes a while to recall something from so much information.

Whoever said, “Out of sight, out of mind,” never had a spider disappear in the bedroom.

You will not impact the world by faithfully going to church. You will impact the world by faithfully being the church when you go out into the world.

There is a problem when sin doesn’t offend us, but correction does.

We see a lot of concern about separation of church and state, but believers need to be more concerned about the separation there has been between the church and the kingdom.

Victory comes as we learn to abide in Christ. —Dan Shock

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to contribute your ideas and thoughts, please address all items and comments to [email protected].

© Thoughts on Life Copyright 2025

November 2, 2025

In the Book of the Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ speaks to seven churches about their accomplishments, about their character, and their failings. He offered them counsel and comfort, warned them about possible consequences, and encouraged them to listen and truly “hear” the Holy Spirit.

The churches in Sardis and Laodicea received no such commendation.

The churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia received no condemnation.

The other three churches received a bit of both.

Pergamos initially received praise for holding fast Christ’s name in spite of dwelling “even where Satan’s seat is,” even at the risk of martyrdom, which their brother in Christ, the faithful Antipas, suffered, who was slain among them, “where Satan dwelleth.”

Countless times through the centuries, the lives of God’s people have been threatened by worldly powers because they were determined to “…contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). They were crucified, stoned, put to the sword, torn apart by ravening animals for the entertainment of the mobs, or consumed by fire.

Those who refused to surrender their faith lost their lives. Even during the middle ages, when Martin Luther was seeking to reform the church, he was excommunicated, threatened with arrest, imprisonment, and being burned at the stake. What was his response?

“I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”

The Book of Hebrews speaks of the hosts who died before Luther, and multitudes who are perishing today, stating,

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.)

–Hebrews 11:37

We tend to run away from such a possibility, but consider what these martyrs accomplished,

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

–Hebrews 11:37

Satan’s dupes—the Romans, the pagans, even Jews like the unconverted Saul, as well as vast churches that claimed Christ as their Savior—have striven to annihilate God’s people. At the moment, Nigeria is considered the 7^th most dangerous place in the world for Christian, with 125,000 already murdered there. And this very day, the president of the United States warned the president of Nigeria that if he allows religious radicals to continue slaughtering Christians, American troops might go there “with guns-a-blazing.”

Persecution of Christians was a real thing in ancient Pergamos, so when the Lord praised the saints of that church for not denying him, for not surrendering their testimonies in the face of tribulation, it was no small praise.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “Ye have not yet resisted unto the shedding of blood” (Hebrews 12:4). For most Americans, this implied criticism is valid.

The penman of the Book of Hebrews amplifies Jesus’ words to the Pergamos church. The true believer had to certify his or her faith by holding fast to their testimony in spite of the likelihood of death.

Joy and I visited a former monastery in France where the priests, who were prohibited from spilling the blood of those they were “helping” to see the light, would instead put the outlet of a large container into the mouth of each victim, pinch his or her lips closed, and pour four or five gallons of water down their throat, distending their bodies, literally tearing them apart, and ultimately painfully drowning them. The modern practice of “”water boarding” is tame compared to the practices of those not-so-holy men.

The horrors that a multitude of Christians through the centuries have faced to maintain their testimonies took enormous faith and courage, yet was small compared to the horrors that Jesu Christ exposed himself to in order to pay for the sins of every man and woman who will have ever lived. Perchance a man might die for another. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and his suffering therefore was arguably infinite.

But we Americans, and the relatively few Christians that reside in a largely amoral and socialized Europe, are just awakening to the possibility of having to actually suffer martyrdom for our faith. We are just beginning to witness the terror, as we hear of men and women pushed beneath racing subway cars, being run over by trucks, raped, knifed, even decapitated, right here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Yet, the terror grows daily, and we ought to be asking ourselves whether our purported love for Jesus is a mere preference or a true conviction–a belief so solid and a faith so secure that it will see us through the darkest, most prolonged, and most unimaginable trials.

So the church at Pergamos received high praise from Christ because many believers were faithful in spite of the grave threats to which they were exposed, where Satan’s agents were many, and bold, and active.

Our Lord, nevertheless, did not hesitate to call out a pervasive attitude he saw among them, a noxious practice. Some would betray others for financial gain, and pervert the truths of God, just as Balaam had done centuries earlier.

If, at any time in history, somebody did something so bad as to have their name’s appear in God’s holy word, we ought to be very careful to avoid that same practice. Certainly, we don’t want to be a Balaam.

Sometimes the things we say or do don’t seem like overt sin. Perhaps we think we are simply displaying love and tolerance for someone by attending a homosexual wedding, or by suggesting that we might somehow draw the erring ones closer to Christ, while essentially sanctioning practices that Christ clearly states are hated by God.

Such are of Balaam. In fact, some are producing a new “Bible” that will remove all passages that condemn homosexual practices.

Similarly, the Lord accused some in the church at Pergamos of inducing others to commit fornication (Rev 2:14).

But we need to be warned, not only about not altering God’s book, but living in aa manner that suggests we don’t really believe it. We dare not mess around with the Bible! Some of us know the last few verses of God’s holy word:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Revelation 22:18-19

Christ went on to warn those in Pergamos,“Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword in my mouth.”

Revelation 2:16

We know that one definition of the “sword of the Lord” is the word of truth. And one implication in this verse is that some honest and courageous men of God will, while wisely quoting the Word of God, lovingly expose and condemn the sin among them, thus revealing God’s’ judgment and warning of the need to repent. Such confrontation between members of a church, though often necessary, but frequently avoided, will ultimately result in many innocents being hurt, and souls lost in what the military sometimes calls, “collateral damage.” And such combat among the brethren–with some exercising Christ’s double-edged sword, and others pretending to do so, can presage the death of a church–a tragedy to God, and a joy to Satan.

Yet, Peter didn’t shy away from discipline in the churc, for he declared,

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first being at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

I Peter 4:17

What can we conclude from this? That we dare not presume on the grace of God to cover wanton and persistent sin in the church, no matter its nature nor how severe we consider it to be. A tiny lesion in the church body can become a consuming cancer. Or, as the Bible warns, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” We must purge out the offending sore before it grows and overwhelms the body.

I know of a church where the pastor was unloving, and behaved in an ungodly fashion. It was pointed out to the leadership, and one retired pastor even agreed that “Something needs to be done.” But he remained silent, and the infection grew. In fact, the deacons came to his defense, Did they help the pastor by covering for him? Now a great scab covers a putrescent mess, hiding it from casual view, but if anyone were to seek to lance the cancer, many would apt to be infected by it.

Jesus has long since provided a simple approach that, taken early in such such a situation, can remedy the problem, and see all the willing participants grown in wisdom, faith, grace, and love.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:15-18

It’s a pity that we don’t have more Peters among us, men who can point up a sin as Peter did after Pentecost, when the malcontents, Ananias and Sapphira, dropped dead at his feet in view of the entire church, leaving all the city in righteous fear of God.

Do you think that God was too harsh? But if they had simply told the truth, as Peter suggested, and hadn’t tried to take fleshly for being more generous than they claimed…..

Someone might call it “tough love.”

Consider the Pergamos church,

“Repent,” Jesus said, “or else I will come unto thee quickly….”

And then the sobering exhortation:

“He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.”

–Revelation 2:17

We need to bite the bullet! To do the right thing. If we don’t, we may find ourselves in the same condemnation for closing our eyes to the evil in our midst, or, by remaining silent, seeming to endorse such behavior.

He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear!

You may claim to be a peace maker. and even argue that Jesus is the prince of Peace. And you may find yourself crying out, “Peace, peace.!”

But there is no peace.

When Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,”in his sermon on the mount, he wasn’t referring to someone who tries to sweep problems under the rug, or even to those who try to bring adversaries together through reason and prayer. Sometimes a peacemaker cannot secure peace unless he exposes sin, by lancing the spiritual wounds so that the poisons are purged, the wound can heal, and the sinner can made useful and joyful again.

You may claim to be a lover of souls, a person of gentle heart, filled with a longing to forgive and to see others forgiven. You’re ready to offer a second, or a third chance; even a 70 times 7 chance.

But ask yourself whether your approach is best for the person you pity, much less for Christ’s church. And consider those who may be misled and damaged spiritually, or even physically, because of your silence, your inactivity, even your fear and failure to act.

What does the Lord say to the church at Pergamos?

“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev 2:16).

There are times when we must ask ourselves whether we are truly serving Christ, or actually condoning and increasing sin.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:17).

November 1, 2025

Scripture Study: Watching Jesus Pray, part 1

Luke 22:39-46

Over the years many individuals, couples and even families have come to me for counseling. I really enjoy taking the Bible and applying it to the problems of life. During our initial conversation I usually like to ask them what they have done so far about their problem, and as you can imagine I get all kinds of answers. Sometimes they’ll say, “We don’t know what to do!” Now that’s an honest answer. Another common answer I get is “We’ve prayed about it.”

For some people that can mean that they’ve thrown up a few quick prayers, but they still haven’t seen any significant change. Others may have prayed quite a bit, but they too may have seen little or no change. But whether it’s a few hasty prayers or a thousand lengthy prayers, I’ve noticed that many people seem almost apologetic about prayer in general. Sometimes the only thing to do about some challenge in your life is to pray because it’s the only thing you can do about it at the moment. Every other option may be out of your hands. But I’d really like to convince you that when you’ve prayed you’ve done something great. God sometimes requires us to do more than pray, but at other times prayer may be all that God requires.

John Bunyan, the well-known author of Pilgrim’s Progress, put it this way, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” He, of course, meant that prayer should be the first thing we do before considering other options, and he’s absolutely right.

We can learn so much by watching what Jesus does during tough times, and so let’s begin our multi-part study with a short passage from Luke 22:39-46 where we get to watch Jesus pray. Jesus is facing the most difficult day of his life. He will be betrayed, beaten and crucified. He has just spent his last night together with the twelve in the upper room, and so v. 39 begins:

“And coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’”

Next time we’ll zoom in and take notes. But for now, what concern, need or fear are you facing? Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Daniel McCabe

Trivia (Find the answer below)

How many kings of Judah were good or mostly good, according to the Bible?

On Location: The Neighborhood of Mea Shearim–

Modern Technology, part 2

The ultra-Orthodox rabbis of this Jerusalem neighborhood ban or at least strongly discourage the use of televisions, radios, computers and the internet by its residents out of sincere concern for the harm that can come from them, particularly the potential distraction from both family and religious priorities as well as concern over exposure to immodest, immoral and inappropriate content. When sometimes utilized for work or for rabbinical studies, “kosher” computers are heavily filtered, used offline or equipped with a private internal network created by the community. Smartphones are strongly discouraged though they too are heavily filtered when used by business owners, tech workers and emergency responders. Residents may own non-smart devices and flip phones that have no internet access, apps, a camera or texting capability. Anecdotally, it is said that some residents use smartphones discreetly or in secret, due to strong social pressure and the stigma associated with owning internet-enabled devices.

Daniel McCabe

Bibliology: The Preservation of Scripture, part 4

Let’s talk about the preservation of Scripture. Much of what follows won’t have supporting passages of Scripture, for they are mostly logical and historical statements, but we’ll see what you think.

The ipsissima vox of all Scripture—a Latin phrase, “the very voice,” that which is meant, the voice and meaning of all Scripture—has been providentially preserved by God throughout history and will continue for all time (Psalm 119:89, 160; 1 Peter 1:24-25. On the other hand, the ipsissima verba—“the very words” of the autographs, the original manuscripts—can only be carefully reasoned today.

When you hold the Bible in your hands today, it is the Word of God. It is the voice and meaning of that which was written by the Scripture writer, but we don’t have the original manuscripts. The faithful translation that you have in your hands was translated into the English language from the thousands of manuscripts that have survived over the centuries, but none of which are the original autographs. Even so we can carefully reason the most likely wording of Paul or Peter.

This might lead skeptics to say, “It’s all just a giant telephone game. You really don’t have the Bible. It’s been changed over time.” To which I would counter, “If you’ve ever done a study of how ancient texts are transmitted, then you can’t escape the conclusion that the Bible, far and away (not even close to its second place competitor), is the most historically attested work of all time.”

Anyone who’s done any measure of study in the field of textual transmission is only fooling himself if he looks at the Bible and thinks that it’s been warped in what was originally written. The more you study and the more you understand the thousands of manuscripts available to us, you can’t help but see that the Bible which we have in our hands is the ipsissima vox of those Scripture writers. It is what they wrote.

It’s also amazing to me that the same skeptics who say, “The Bible has been warped throughout time,” will then grab any other historical work off the bookshelf, hand it to you and say, “These are the speeches of Julius Caesar. This is Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.” No, not even close. We might have a few manuscripts that survived for up to one thousand years following the original writings of Caesar, and most simply assume that they are accurate; however, the Bible is a lot closer to its autographs with substantially more attestations. If you study the field of textual transmission, you’ll find that the Bible is rock solid. We have in our hands today what the Scripture writers wrote.

True, the autographs, the original manuscripts of Scripture, were not physically preserved by God. Theoretically, if you were to dig around in the Judean desert and found an ancient manuscript which dated to the time of the biblical writers, you wouldn’t know for sure if it was the original or not. The autographs were not miraculously preserved, but their message was preserved by human agents who copied and translated them.

Throughout history God preserved His word through the faithful work of humans over millennia, and there is no one authoritative version of the Bible. This is important. Every quality translation, whether a dynamic translation (word for word from the Greek and Hebrew) or a functionally-equivalent translation (readable and smooth for modern readers)—as long as it’s been faithfully translated from the manuscripts available to us—is authoritative for the faith and practice of the person of God. I won’t list the names of the Bible translations here, but there is a popular view among many that only one specific version is acceptable. That is simply not true, and the more you learn about textual transmission, you can’t help but come to this conclusion. There are many quality translations today. An individual can be saved by responding to Scripture, and this saving faith is sufficient regardless of the version or language of the Scripture being used. Again, some people hold that you can’t be saved unless you respond to the gospel out of one specific Bible version, but that is simply not right.

Following the completion of the Bible, it took final form and organization with chapter and verse divisions as well as vowel pointings in the Hebrew, but these later developments are not inspired. They may not be part of the original inspired work, but they don’t obfuscate the ipsissima vox of Scripture either. They don’t confound it or confuse it. They’re actually useful in the proclamation of Scripture. It can be very convenient, for example, to know the chapter and verse for John 3:16 in order to find it in the text. It helps us organize Scripture. There are some versions of Scripture without these chapter and verse markers if that’s what you prefer. In fact, I think that’s a beautiful way to read Scripture. I quite enjoy reading the Bible in this way, but I’m certainly not against the chapter and verse divisions either. Yes, sometimes the chapter and verse divisions unfortunately break up the narrative, but they’re also helpful tools as long as we understand that Paul didn’t write, “Chapter 1, verse 1.” He just wrote his letter to the Romans as we would write a letter, and Daniel likewise wrote down the visions that were given to him without chapter and verse. They came much later.

God has ensured that His Word would be preserved throughout all time, and one can look back in history to see how that has happened.

Adam Keim

Life in the Land: Seven or Nine?

Have you ever seen a Jewish menorah, sometimes called a lampstand or a candlestick? How many branches are on one? Well, sometimes you’ll count seven and sometimes you’ll count nine. So, what’s the difference?

God commanded the Israelites to place a 7-branched menorah in the temple. This is the one you’ll see on modern Jewish coins or on the platform in modern synagogues whereas the 9-branched menorah is called a hanukkiah, used only during the celebration of Hanukkah. If you look closely at the picture below on the right, you’ll notice that all nine branches are in a straight line, but the middle branch is slightly higher than the other eight (sometimes it’s lower). This ninth branch serves as the helper candle. The other eight branches are lit during the eight-day Hanukkah celebration.

Therefore, a 7-branched menorah is used for all occasions other than Hanukkah, and a 9-branched hanukkiah (sometimes referred to as “8-branched”) can only be used at Hanukkah. In any event, both make me think of Jesus, who called himself the “light of the world” in John 9:5 just after leaving the temple with its 7-branched menorah in John 8:59 and shortly before John’s mention of the celebration of Hanukkah (also called the Feast of Dedication) in John 10:22.

Daniel McCabe

Answer to the Trivia

C. 8: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah, Josiah

Week Forty-Four, 2025

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

It is one of my favorite verses and should be a focus for all Christians in these tumultuous and difficult times in our land. We have been ripped apart by hatred, killings, and unheard-of conflict. There is an awakening terror movement in our land, with violence against those exercising free speech.

If ever there was a time to focus on this verse, it is now. Notice that God calls on His people—those who are called by His name. The ball is in our court, as He calls us to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. These four things must be undertaken by His people before He acts. The passage offers a conditional promise of God’s forgiveness and healing in response to these specific actions by His people: (1) humility, (2) prayer, (3) seeking Him, and (4) repentance from sin.

Our land needs healing. God is the one who will have to do it, but our part is to do what He says and not get caught up in worldly solutions. Romans 12 tells Christians what we need to do in times like this.

We need to be different. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and do things His way—not the world’s way. We cannot get caught up in the world’s evil ways. We have to do good to everyone, as long as God gives us the life and breath to do so.

Then, and only then, will God follow with three things: (1) He will hear from heaven, (2) He will forgive our sins, and (3) He will heal our land. If ever our land needs healing and forgiveness, it is now—but each of us must do our part.

This verse was God’s promise to the nation of Israel, and it is still His promise to us today. It functions as a reminder of the covenant relationship with God, linking obedience and repentance to national well-being and restoration. The verse is also interpreted by some as a timeless principle for God’s people, requiring humility, repentance, and a turning back to God for spiritual, moral, and national restoration today.

Israel’s sin brought judgment on their land, and it is and will bring judgment on ours today. Are you ready to turn from our worldly ways and focus on His ways? Only then will He hear our voice, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

Sometimes True Stories

According to the Canadian news outlet The Globe and Mail, the government of Quebec is planning to ban prayer in public places “as part of a move to strengthen secularism in the province.” The idea was first made public by Premier François Legault, who said he did not want to see people praying in public parks or on streets. Last Thursday, the province’s secularism minister (yes, that oxymoronic office is real) confirmed he would advance the legislation this fall.

– 0 –

All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Have you ever gone on a cruise? 600 pounds of butter per day, 1,500 pounds of flour per day, 250,000 eggs per week, 170,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables—all this food is needed for one cruise ship carrying only 3,500 passengers! Seems like a lot. Before each cruise begins, the ship is loaded with all the provisions the kitchen staff needs to keep everyone on board happy and well fed!

In 2 Timothy 3:17, Paul tells us that God’s Word is given to us so that we will be “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As we study Scripture, we are equipped for whatever comes our way. The truth and the promises found in God’s Word make their way into our heart and then into our life, giving us strength to persevere in trials and courage to stand for Christ.

Just as a cruise ship loads tons of food before each departure, so we must continually fill our mind with God’s Word. As we do, we will be equipped to serve God each moment of the day. Feed your mind daily with God’s Word. Remember, we are what we consume.

Are you prepared for the day? Are you prepared today for your marriage, for your kids, fo

Quotes You Can Use

It is important to be knowledgeable about things when we voice our opinions. Without the facts, our opinions can be misleading and hurtful. —Tony Ferguson

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. —Mark Twain

The only way to be found worthy to escape the Great Tribulation is by receiving Jesus Christ and the forgiveness He offers. —Dan Shock

Believing what the Lord says is absolutely true is the essential foundation of a faithful life. Absolutely nothing the Lord has ever said, has been proven false, we must keep that in mind when the devil tempts us. Understanding that the Lord “is truth”, “is knowledge.” —Tony Ferguson

I am reminded of my need for Jesus and my desire to become more and more like Him. I am reminded of all the good that also happened in my day, in my life, in my little part of the world… reminded of all the good that I am surrounded by… and reminded to dwell upon such things. —Marty Stubblefield

The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. —Johnny Cash

If you are facing struggles in life, talk to the Lord. You don’t need an appointment, and His help line is always open.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. —Dale Carnegie

Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin.

Life is meaningful when you recognize that each moment is unique and will never happen again; cherish every experience as a once-in-a-lifetime gift.

Your job as a parent is to teach your kids how to deal with disappointment, not to keep them from it.

God canceled your plans to save your life. He sent you the other direction to avoid danger. He fights battles you know nothing about. His plan is better than yours.

Trust that God will put the right people in your life at the right time and for the right reasons.

An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain. Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us the strength to overcome them.

You cannot create your own definition of Christianity and call yourself a Christian when that definition is very different than what the Bible says. Christianity is not relative, but THE BIBLE IS ABSOLUTE!

Our biggest problem is our small view of God. —Mark Batterson

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to contribute your ideas and thoughts, address all items and comments to

[email protected].

© Thoughts on Life Copyright 2025

October 25, 2025

Scripture Study: The Behemoth

Let’s take a deep dive into the identification of the animal described in Job 40:15-24. Perhaps a list of facts from the text will help you recognize it, but first, note that v. 15 clearly states that God created the behemoth, “which I made along with you.”

Therefore, we can at least say that the behemoth is a real animal, living or dead, and not an imaginary or mythical creature.

1. It eats grass like the ox, v. 15—probably meaning that it’s a herbivore, though perhaps an omnivore, clearly not a carnivore.

2. It has strong “hips” (NKJV), v. 16—often translated as “loins,” perhaps implying that it has a powerful kick. This description and the following one are in poetic parallel, thus expressing two ways to describe the same general idea.

3. It has powerful “stomach muscles” (NKJV), v. 16—most other translations read “belly.”

4. It has a cedar-like tail, v. 17—perhaps suggesting both length and strength. This description and the following one are also in poetic parallel, both expressing power.

5. The sinews or tendons of its thighs are “tightly knit,” v. 17—an expression which may suggest that it can generate great force.

6. It has bones “like beams of bronze” and “ribs like bars of iron,” v. 18—more descriptions of its power and perhaps size.

7. Only God can kill it with the sword, v. 19—this suggests to me that its massive size or quickness would make it impossible for man to kill one on his own.

8. It lives in various habitats, including hilly areas with other animals as well as near brooks or wet areas where it lies under shady lotus trees and willows, vs. 20-22—v. 20 in the NKJV reads “mountains,” but the Hebrew word can also be translated as hills.

9. It doesn’t fear fast-moving water, v. 23—evidently rushing water can’t carry him away.

10. It can’t be hooked and led away captive, v. 24—the first part of the verse is tricky to interpret, but the second part suggests that it can’t be handled by men.

The most common identifications for the behemoth are the hippo, elephant and crocodile. Crocodiles can be eliminated from consideration quickly since they are carnivores. Elephants and hippos are both powerful, but hippos spend most of their time submerged in the water to protect their sensitive skin. They don’t live in hilly areas with other wild beasts nor do elephants, and neither hippos nor elephants have particularly long, thick or powerful tails. Hippos prefer slow-moving water and aren’t well-suited for fast-moving water, which can carry them and their calves away. Elephants fare better in fast-moving water because they can swim, but even so they avoid rushing water. Albeit dangerous, men in groups as small as five could kill a hippo or an elephant, but it would take a very large group of men, perhaps into the hundreds, to kill a sauropod dinosaur.

Could the behemoth refer to an extinct sauropod? After all, they were herbivores, could thrive in both gentle hills and flatlands, and grew to an enormous size with long, thick, powerful tails. The fossil evidence confirms as much, and there’s actually nothing about the description of the behemoth in Job 40 that readily excludes the dinosaur from consideration! Just saying!

Trivia Quesion (Answer below)

Major general is the second highest rank in the Israel Defense Forces under only the head of the IDF, but in its history how many major generals have been women?

Life in the Land: The Dead Sea Marathon

I used to run a lot, but now my knees tell me I’m done with that chapter of my life. Are you a runner? Where do you like to run? How would you like to run a race at the lowest point on earth? You can! For about $75 you can run a marathon at the southern end of the Dead Sea in Israel. The race course crosses two gravel embankments that span a small section of the salt lake, and you can choose to run the half marathon, full marathon, ultra marathon or smaller distances like the 5K and 10K.

The next race is scheduled for February 6, 2026 in Ein Bokek, starting at 6 a.m. You should expect the start time temperature to be around 57 degrees, and you’ll be glad that they don’t schedule the race during the summer when sunrise temperatures reach nearly 80 degrees and the day’s high can reach 108 degrees. In 2025 eight thousand runners from forty countries crowded the start line, so you are likely to meet some interesting people at the race like the family members of former hostages held in Gaza or Moshe Lederfien who runs with a pineapple on his head. Runners enjoy stunning views of the area, historically home to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

On your mark!

On Location: The Neighborhood of Mea Shearim: Its Uniqueness, part 1

Mea Shearim is an historic neighborhood in Jerusalem, located only a short walk north of the Old City’s New Gate. Founded in 1874 it is one of the very first neighborhoods built outside the city walls. Its name means “One Hundred Gates,” and the Hebrew comes directly from Genesis 26:12 which describes a time in the life of Isaac when the Lord blessed him with an abundant harvest. The verse reads, “Then Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold [mea shearim]; and the LORD blessed him.” The most common translation for the Hebrew word shearim is “gates,” but in this verse it’s acceptably rendered as “fold,” meaning a “measure” or a “portion.” Mea Shearim’s founders adopted this expression to represent their desire for future prosperity and spiritual abundance as they followed the Lord through “gates” of obedience.

The neighborhood is populated by various groups of ultra-Orthodox Jews whose lifestyle is modeled on pre-modern Jewish traditions with an intentional effort to preserve the religious customs and culture of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Eastern Europe, similar to our understanding of the Amish here in the United States. The residents of Mea Shearim studiously follow biblical and rabbinical law. Most of the men study the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) full-time, and the community values modesty, family values and separation from secular society, which includes strict controls over media, technology and the education of their children. The men typically don black hats, white shirts and black coats called kapotes with full beards and sidelocks called peyot, and the women wear long skirts and long-sleeved blouses with high necklines. The married women cover their hair with scarves or wigs.

Scripture Study: Bibliology: The Illumination and Clarity of Scripture, part 3

The Holy Spirit illumines the reader of Scripture to understand its truth. Only the Holy Spirit can bring real understanding to a person’s mind about the meaning of a Scripture passage. This illumination is necessary due to the blindness of each person as a result of sin, the darkening work of Satan (2 Cor. 4:4), and even for some a judicial compounding that further darkens the mind (Rom. 11:7-8). Some redeemed people require further illumination. Different people reach varying levels of maturity in their walk with Christ, even different intellectual capacities, and that’s fine. Some of the most faithful believers I’ve met can struggle to understand certain theological doctrines, for example. Theology may even confound them a bit, yet they are still such faithful people, deeply in love with the Lord. Different people possess varying intellectual capabilities, and some people require further illumination from the Holy Spirit to understand Scripture on different levels. Thankfully, God works with all of us as individuals.

But even though I think this is the case, Scripture is perspicuous in its meaning; that is, it’s clear. It’s understandable. No one person knows it all. No one comprehends every nuance of it. Still it is perspicuous. God did not give us the Bible to intentionally confound us. He revealed Himself in Scripture so that we could know Him. We may not be able to understand everything in it, but every Bible verse is nevertheless understandable. There are many things that we as sinful people will never comprehend even though we can apprehend them. Take the Trinity, for example. When I read the Bible, I can apprehend the concept of God being three in one and one in three. He’s one person with three subsistencies, if you will. But even that fails to really explain God, for He is unexplainable. I can’t fully comprehend the Trinity. Although I’ll be in heaven for fourteen quadrillion years, I still won’t be able to comprehend it. God is just infinitely beyond us. The Trinity may be incomprehensible, yet I believe it.

So, even though Scripture is perspicuous or clear in its meaning, it isn’t necessarily so in its significance to every reader. That is, you can have two people with one Bible verse. Both of them can know what it means, but one person may appreciate its significance and depth of meaning more than the other. That’s where wisdom comes in and maybe too the Holy Spirit further softens that person’s understanding of what that verse can mean to them.

Adam Keim

Archaeology, The First Church

Just south of the Old City of Jerusalem you can visit a busy tourist site on Mt. Zion that marks the traditional location of the Upper Room where the apostles shared the Last Supper with Jesus. Do I think that the site is genuine? I actually do. The evidence is quite compelling though I can only give you a taste of it in this post.

Today most of what you’ll see at the site is from the time of the Crusaders who built a church there in the twelfth century. In 1948 a Jewish archaeologist researched the site and found evidence of a fourth-century Byzantine church directly below the Crusader church and below that a first-century synagogue with graffiti that read in part, “Jesus is light.” The very first Christians were Jewish Christians as you may recall, including even “a great many of the priests” (Acts 6:7).

In any event long before Roman Emperor Constantine built churches in Jerusalem and Bethlehem to mark the sites of Jesus’ birth, death and ascension, very early Christian historians had noted that a first-century church stood atop Mount Zion and that it commemorated the spot where the apostles shared the Last Supper with Jesus (Mark 14:15), where they returned following Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:12-13), and where they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers” (v. 14) as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Today we often name our churches First Baptist, First Presbyterian or First United Methodist Church, but that first-century church on Mount Zion was THE First Church. It’s remarkable to stand in the surviving Crusader structure built over the First Church’s ancient remains and imagine the events, prayers, meals and conversations that took place there, including “one of you will betray me” (John 13:21), “I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:6), and “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (16:33).

Answer to the Trivia

B. 3