We continue to pray for our world leaders. They are an eclectic bunch. Pray they are motivated to set aside all personal ambitions that fuel conflict. Pray also they realize that it is all those who fight and die, who are wounded, who are displaced; regardless of the side they are on, are made in the image and likeness of God - and - just as the leader is. Pray that those leaders see a path to peace, a better option than the brutal, foggy, chaos of war.
Please remember that you bless us with your presence, and may the Holy Spirit bring you His comfort and His peace. Join us!!!
Zoom Link:
For Study, Prayer and Fellowship - 8:00 AM PDT on 05/24/2025:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82968961343?pwd=LzcwVjJKcWVESDRURlhDcXlNV0JUdz09
Meeting ID: 829 6896 1343
Passcode: 77299ere:
05/24/2025 – Prologue – The first day that the first US congress met was 03/04/1789 in NYC. James Madison, rose to speak. He said, “ … a subject, which appears to me to be of the greatest magnitude; a subject, Sir, that requires our first attention, and our united exertions.” His plan was to raise revenue by taxing imports, (tariffs) but in the past this process was not supported. The national debt was $54,000,000, of which $12,000,000 was owed to foreign governments. Chris DeRose, Founding Fathers (New York: MJF Books 2011), 252. Sound familiar?
Deal with the Debt - Every week we shall report the amount of our national debt and the current interest cost. We may add a third statistic to expand the scope of our debt and what we face if our Congress fails to act on this issue. At this moment the National Debt is $36,884,097,668,315; The interest (line item in our annual budget) is $1,025,258,003,611; and the debt per U.S. tax-payer is $323,050. This is not sustainable and the responsibility for this critical mass rests solidly with Congress. Our national debt is such a serious issue that we will briefly address it each week.
The Gospel, The Good News, was written for then and now to give man freedom in the Spirit, not freedom without the Spirit. Imagine how bleak and fatal the latter would appear. Freedom in and with the Spirit is a gift which allows us to see the Divine and walk His path. It is clear, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” [2 Cor. 3:17] Thus, the Gospel gives us a perfect law, a law of freedom. [James 1:25] The Gospel calls and teaches us how to speak, how to act and how those who are judged by the law of freedom, speak and act. [James 2:12 - 13] “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” [James 2:13b] We are taught to submit ourselves not as if we are able to use freedom as a cover for sinfulness [1 Peter 2:16], but we are called as free men. “You, My brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” [Gal. 5:13]
Please read the following while remembering that our faith tends to undulate due to the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. That has an impact on us as we read scripture. To create Christian culture, we must first renew ourselves and then take it to the world. The most important aspect is to do so within the freedom of truth. The walk into evangelism is a gift of grace given to everyone, and we all must explore the choices available to us. [Matt. 28:18-20]. All have or will be given the chance to guide a person to faith or through a crisis of faith. We have no idea how effective we will be. However, the key to thinking of Christian culture is to be evangelical. Back to the first step – individual renewal. This occurs via the reading of Holy Scripture. We must register what is written intellectually and spiritually, and then test ourselves in what is being described in the text. Are you present in the words? That is why we may not personally ‘identify’ with a text as we read. NB What is our attitude while reading Scripture? Do we respond to God’s grace (The Holy Spirit is always present, but are we able to draw alongside?) or out of a sense of duty. During our scriptural reading(s) are we able to contemplate God’s perfection in our hearts? Even for a moment, can we sense the power of love and turn it toward God, our fellow man, [Mark 12:30-31] and our natural surroundings? [Acts 17:24] This is the beginning, as we have “… taken off your old self, with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renew-ed in knowledge in the image of its creator.” [Col. 3:9-10] It is in this process that we identify the true divinity of Christ. Walk with me – in our heart and soul, in our mind, and in our deeds. Then through faith. This is called active love. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom …” [Col. 3:16] “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. [Rom. 12:2] By non-conforming we are ”to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” [Eph. 4:23-24]; “fill you with the knowledge of His will… “ [Col. 1:9]; “and over all these virtues, put on love …” [Col. 3:14].
From this as we are able to determine from Scripture, that we: “ought to live holy and godly lives.” [2 Peter 3:11] “because the peace of God, …, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 4:7], and “… that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being.” [Eph. 3:16] Then we come to know this love of Christ, for us, surpasses all knowledge. [Eph. 3:19] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” [1 John 4:16] For, “Do you not know you yourselves are God’s temple and That God’s spirit lives in you?” [1 Cor. 3:16] “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” [1 Cor. 6:17] Thus, “… He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” [2 Peter 1:4] Please recall that at the final supper Christ promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, “… the Counselor, to be with you forever.” [John 14:16-17] The purpose of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth) is really quite clear, “… He will guide you into all truth.” [John 16:13] It is necessary to accept this apostolic teaching, but we must be careful not to allow it to lead us to pride or arrogance, nor lead us to use violence toward others or succumb to false teachings. As we learn to follow the Holy Spirit, we must adopt humility. [Rom. 12] There are many reasons, but the primary one is that our intimacy with the Holy Spirit reaches differing heights with each individual. Our goal should be to seek the path that takes us into an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. We are all commanded to do this.
Christian culture can be one of two things. We may try to do or to justify too much, we will not go there today. Alternatively, it can be a challenging, imperative, conscientious action. We are to use our abilities, guided by the Spirit of Christ to create an earthly culture for mankind. We are to take responsibility for our own decisions, thoughts and actions, while beseeching God to guide us. If we are to create a Christian culture, we must cultivate our hearts and minds to become a child of the light and act as though we are subject to the law of freedom; and not to succumb to being prisoners of sin. [Gal. 3:19-24] Because “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” [Gal. 5:1; Rom. 8:2-8] “So, if the son sets you free you will be free indeed.” [John 8:36] AMEN
Love, Hank
Cell: 541-973-5442
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