Linus' Blanket

by Jose Barajas

My grandson from birth, loves to hold on to "tags" on a blanket, or his shirts, that we even bought him a blanket of tags. It is his security to know that when he is holding that, he is comfortable and also his security. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is filled with so many messages of humility and basic messages of what the true meaning of Christmas is and should be. One of the most unnoticed things is that of Linus dropping his blanket after he goes to the center of the stage to recite Luke Two, Eight thru Fourteen. Right at the point of verse Ten where it says, "FEAR NOT," he drops the blanket. Now if you know anything about Charlie Brown and have watched any of his specials or cartoons, you know that Linus is known for carrying that blanket around everywhere he goes and in everything he does. Regardless that everyone else makes fun of him, or tries to take it away from him, or convince him, he doesn't need it, he never let's it go. Because it is his security, his comfort, his way of being able to do anything, because his blanket is protection. In the same way my grandson holds his "taggies", so does Linus hold that blanket.

Jesus when He calls His first disciples, ,Peter, Andrew, John and James, who would become His inner circle, and most referenced disciples of all others, says in Mark One,

Celebrating The Birth Of Christ

by Pastor Dominic Ortega

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
Luke 2:8-15

Had there been newspapers in the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, some of the headlines might have been:

"GRAIN SHIPS DOCK"
"PIRATE SHIPS SUNK BY SIXTH FLEET"
"STUDENTS CLASH WITH POLICE, ROMAN RIOTS END"

Tamales

by Jose Barajas

"Growing up in a Mexican home, Christmas time was always a happy memory for me. My dad liked to have people over but especially during Christmas time, as it was more of a reason to celebrate his birthday which fell on December Twenty Fourth (Although sometimes he'd say it was the Twenty Fifth.) (Now on another note, Jesus was not born on December Twenty Fifth and if you didn't know that, sorry for the spoiler alert) The thing that most non "Latino" families, (Hispanic, is deemed a derogatory term to many of whom that term was created for by the Census bureau) associate with this time of the year is TAMALES! Now if you know my family, its truly the most wonderful time of the year because of this rite of passage. My mom has a restaurant size mixer, as tamales are rolled out by the dozens when my sisters and brothers come to the house to make the often made, but never replicated, or better than those that come from my family's house. 

Bangladesh Calvary Christian Ministry Video

by Chuck Ness

I am currently in partnership with Billo Das of Jessore Bangladesh in a foreign ministry. I met Billo earlier this year when he contacted me after reading my commentaries I post to my fb group, and we started chatting. What struck me about Billo, was he never asked for money for food or clothing for the children, he asked if I could help teach him good Biblical doctrine, snd help him become a good teacher.

So I began sending him commentaries I wrote and outlines for Bible studies. He would use the outlines to study and then teach children with them. As time went on he told me of his need for Bibles, but at the time I was still hesitant. Then one day I took a leap of faith and sent him money so he could purchase a printer, ink , and some paper. With the printer, he began printing up the outlines which I started translating into Bangali for him share with his students as he taught.

Mary & Joseph's Journey to Bethlehem

by Chuck Ness

Some Facts About Mary & Joseph's Journey to Bethlehem

We do not know every detail of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. We do know some of the facts as recorded in the New Testament. We know that Mary and Joseph were human beings with thoughts and feelings. We can also glean from ancient Jewish Mishnah's, and secular historical sources some information to help us understand some pertinent information not included in Scriptures about the time. Here are some of the particulars involved that may have been a factor in the events leading up to the birth of our Savior.

This Psalm I Sing To Christ, Our King

by Chuck Ness

I got angry, and I stepped out in the flesh in my response to something that I perceived as a wrong. However, it is not my place to correct the World, for the World is lost, and so who am I to fix that which I cannot. All I can do is share the truth, while remembering to do so in love, or else I will be a poor ambassador for Christ Jesus.

I understand it's OK to get angry at those who act as the Pharisees did, because Jesus got angry with them. For they walked around in a way to be seen for their good deeds, while in truth their hearts only cared for the worldly profit they could gain. Those men who claim to teach the Word of GOD, but are just wolves deceiving others with their words of silk and songs of love, truly deserve our wrath but those lost in the World do not.

Lord my God, my Savior, my King, forgive me for stepping in the flesh by chastising the lost. Yes, I allowed myself to walk in the flesh by ridiculing one lost in the Lord, by doing so, I put a stumbling bock that could keep them from coming to You my LORD. We are called to give an invitation to those lost in the World. An invitation to come to You my LORD so they can be healed, not to chase them away as the Pharisees did.

This Psalm I Sing To Jesus Christ, Our King

Forgive me O'LORD, and wash away my guilt so I can again enter into YOUR presence with a pure and forgiven heart.

We are but the dirt YOU formed from Adam's seed, yet when YOU came down to us through Eve's seed, we found forgiveness through Your Blood on the Cross for our evil deeds.

We have been reborn as new creatures, and now we walk down the path towards Your Celestial City, and when we arrive O'Lord we shall receive a crown of righteousness, which we will gladly toss at YOUR feet, and live eternally in YOUR presence.

My Lord, my God, upon Your Name I stake my claim, for upon the Cross You took my blame, now all I have is Yours O'Lord, because all You had you gave to save my wretched soul.

O'LORD, my GOD, my Savior, my King, to YOU this Psalm I sing.

Amen

Wake Up World Leaders

by Chima Anaele Sylvanus

Radical Islamimic agenda has always been an issue since the 20th century, mind you, all this was started by the war lord himself whom the Holy Roman Catholic Church feared during his bloodsheding days, historically the lack of unity amongst European leaders and the church made it easy for Saladine The Great to conquer more lands in The Eastern Continent, it is sad to see how this men are trying so hard to revive a weak and barbaric 7th century mindset and the Ottoman empire kind of rule which is only a backwardness..

Establishing a Caliphates would always be a great treat to western civilization and religious freedom.

But i fear this could also be Nigeria and Africa in few years if we continue to sleep at the strategy of Boko-Haram, Al-Nusrah Front, Afgan Taliban, Al-Shabaab,Al-Qa'ida, true Islamic radicalism will never give up until it establish a caliphate and its sharia principle all over the world which was the false prophet desire in his imaginary book...

Asleep in the Light

By Jose Barajas

 “During the week like everyone else I’m sure, I have an alarm set to wake me up to get ready for work. Three of the five days I hit the snooze button, it starts with ten minutes then nine, eight until finally I have to get up or I will be late. There have been a few times where I have accidentally hit stop instead of snooze and all of a sudden I jump up out of bed starling my wife and dog as I overslept. I run around looking for my clothes and rush to get ready, brushing my teeth and hair haphazardly, and even at times I’ve put my shirt on backwards as I run out of the house. Then of course because I’m already late, I hit ever light, there is an accident and or I need gas or forgot something that I have to turn around and go back to get. 

Jesus is telling His disciples about His return and uses different parables to convey the message. One He tells about is the ten virgins and their lamps, found in Matthew Twenty Five, 

The Donkey's Cross

by Chuck Ness

The painting above is a powerful image when you consider who the boy is. The famous painter Jacques Tissot made this masterpiece. It invokes the purpose of the boy's existence in this World. It reminds me of the cross on the back of the donkey his mother rode to Bethlehem, and the one He rode into Jerusalem. His destination was the same from the beginning, and I am sure there are many moments He was reminded that He was to be about His Fathers business.

“Eternity In Their Hearts” Book Review

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has
put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can
find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

by Chuck Ness

Don Richardson spent many years in Papua New Guinea. In his research, he investigated many cultures and their religious ceremonies. This book is a result of that investigative work. The first time I read this book was back in 2004, and I still find myself picking it up from time to time. The information inside is well worth the few dollars you may spend.

Besides being an avid reader of Christian literature, I am also a history buff, so I love learning about different cultures and how they came about. Yet, regardless of how cultures around the World and throughout history are different, I am always amazed at how similar the people truly are. My faith in God has always allowed me to see those similarities, and this book helps reiterate my belief that God created us all to be one people under The One true GOD.

Set Apart “Elect”

by Jose Barajas

One year, when I was working for the City of Long Beach at Houghton Park, we got the opportunity to go to Disneyland and take the kids from the daycare to enjoy the day. It was Mickey Mouse’s Sixteenth Birthday celebration and many cities were invited to celebrate and be part of a parade in a big pomp and circumstance celebration. We got to go around and enjoy the day on all the rides, but the best part came when they kicked the general public out and only those who were invited, got to stay and enjoy the park, rides, food and drinks for free, because we were “set apart” from everyone else.

Jesus in John Seventeen, which is His real prayer and not what many call the Lord’s Prayer, in Matthew Six, in verse Seventeen says, 

““Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.” ‭(NET‬‬) 

Wikipedia May Remove Information About Communist Attrocities

by Chuck Ness

This is just a continuation of leftists trying their best the remove the evidence of what their policies lead to. Along with educating children of the future to believe that Communism is the best solution to all of makind's problems. Something the elitist mindset has been trying to accomplish for hundreds of years. They dream of the time when mankind will again need them to rule so they can be the leaders of a new type of feudalism. Ever since the black death freed people from being owned by the land, elitists have been doing all they can to regain control of us, and for them Communism is the perfect tool. 

Make no mistake, the fall of feudalism led to 700 years of freedom for billions of people the World over. This led to the growth of the great middle class, which in reality gives us control. Yet, they have been trying to wrest back control from us since the 15th century.  Communism is the best tool they have found to keep us under control. Now they are on the verge of destroying the middle class, and thus our power,  with a fake pandemic. Just as the left wants to squash the truth about history by deleting their p[age on the horrors of Communism, the left also wants to squash the truth about China and creating the virus.

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger & Thirst

by Chuck Ness

In my ministries, I never emphasize food nor clothing. While it is true that these are essential for a physical existence, they are not as essential as the Word.

Dear brothers and sisters, the primary purpose of the Church isn’t to take care of the symptoms of a fallen World, such as starvation and crime, but rather to bring the Gospel to men so that they will be brought into a position of hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

A strong desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst for the blessings of a pardon and peace because of our sin.

Those who are lost thirst for the Living water Christ offers (John 4:14) (John 7:37) (Isaiah 55:1-2) To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to hunger and thirst after Christ

Listening To GOD

by Chuck Ness

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8

God still speaks through the Holy Spirit. The question is, are we listening? Do we desire to hear His voice over our own voice? Most of us are moving 100 miles per hour throughout the day, but are we willing to stop everything to get alone with Him to listen to Him?

Allow God to speak life into your soul and always remember that His voice will never contradict His Word. God speaks in multiple ways. He can speak in prayer. He can speak through others. Also, let’s remember to stay in the Word because He has spoken.

Remember that we must listen to what He has said in the Bible. He has revealed everything to us that we need to live a life of godliness. There is nothing in the world that compares to GOD's Word, because the Bible is completely sufficient for all our needs.

To Gain The World

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Mark 8:36

by Chuck Ness

I brought my tomato plants inside the house about a Month ago to allow the tomatoes that were still on the plants to mature instead of letting the plants die in the cold. A Month later one plant has mostly died, but there is still one the last tomato that is almost ready to harvest. As you can see, the other plant is still hanging in there and even has some new tomatoes growing.

Now while the plants themselves are wilting away with every day that passes by, you will notice how the plants send all there energy to the tomatoes so their seeds could survive, even though that ensures the plant itself would die sooner. 

Sadly, humans are not so wise. Unlike plants and animals, we humans destroy our seeds so that we, not our children, will survive. Instead of ensuring the propagation of our kind, humans will often times sacrifice our future generations so that we can have more for ourselves.

After all it costs money and time to raise a child, and in doing so we must sacrifice things we would otherwise enjoy. This is why we humans will often times sacrifice our children to the god of self, so that we can enjoy the benefits a care free life might offer us. Benefits we would otherwise not enjoy if we are encumbered with the responsibility of a child.

The Last Sacrificial Lamb Is Born In Bethlehem

by Chuck Ness

When you think of the first story of Christmas, it's usually about Mary and Joseph looking down at their new born son in a manger, surrounded by barn animals and maybe a shepherd or two looking on. Angels singing praises of joy to the Lord Most High, and maybe even the star that is guiding the wise men from Babylon to the destination of the Jews Messiah.

We live at a time when children are born in sanitized hospital rooms with the best of care, before and after the mother gives birth. When we hear of stories of women giving birth at home, or alongside the road where the car had to pull over because the child would not wait, we are captivated and amazed of such a thing happening in today's world.

Yet, for the vast majority of man's history, women have given birth in conditions we would not expect our pet animals give birth in. So when you consider what Mary had to endure in her last week leading up the birth of her first child, I want you to consider the following. Then maybe, just maybe, you will look at the story of Christmas a bit differently than you have in the past.

When you consider that Luke was a Doctor, it kind of makes sense that his version of the Gospel is the only one that tells the story of the birth of Christ. It makes even more sense when you consider that Luke was not just a good friend and traveling companion, but he was also the Apostle Paul's Doctor. Another point of consideration is that, in Paul's letter to the Galatians he wrote that he did not receive the Gospel from man, but from Christ Himself. So who better to know the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, than the man He shared it with.

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11-12

What Are You Willing To Sacrifice?

Chuck Ness

Tertullian said that The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Yet today I see the church in America dying a slow death due to the fact that the Saints in America like their blood too much to offer it as a sacrifice for Christ and His church today.

That's because too many Christians in America are so connected to the world that they refuse to face the danger Christ told us we must face for Him. Jesus said to the disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25) At the time the disciples did not understand that Jesus was going to die on the cross.

Imagine if Paul was more worried about his flesh than his soul? Paul, and the rest of the Apostles picked up their cross and followed Christ to their death. Like Paul, they faced many dangers and I am convinced they all came close to death many times before they paid the ultimate price of following Christ.

Remember, if your doing the Lords work, He does not promise that you will succeed at your task unmarked or even alive. What he promises, is eternal existence in a place He has prepared for you in one of the Fathers mansions. If you die in the process of carrying that cross, then the Lord is saying your work in the world is complete and it's time to take up residence in your new home in Heaven.

I do know one thing. Christ is watching Christians in America who are so comfortable in their life that they will never even consider risking it all for Him. Is that you?

I pray that those who have ears to hear will hear His voice and call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jesus Our Logos; the First and Last Word

Joel Rice

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NASB 1515). The prologue of the Gospel of John, starting with verse 1 and ending with verse 18 of chapter 1, are some of the strongest verses supporting not only the Deity of Jesus, but also of Jesus being the Unique God the Father. At first glance we notice right away that John uses some unique choices of words in describing Jesus. The “Word” is translated from the dominate singular Greek word “Logos”, which can also be translated as: measure, computation, reason, account, expression or even wisdom. A good basic definition of logos is “the expression of thought – not the mere name of an object.” (Vine’s 1252) Why would John have used this word to describe Jesus? What meaning would it have to the Jewish readers of his time? What would it bring to mind of 1st century Gentiles? Most importantly, what does it mean to you and me today?

366 Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled

by Chuck Ness

Peter Stoner wrote in his book, "Science Speaks", that mere coincidence cannot explain the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. He applied the science of probability to show the chance of only eight prophecies being fulfilled in one man. That probability was calculated to be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000! That's 1 in quintillion. When Stoner's calculations were submitted to the American Scientific Affiliation for verification, both a committee of review and the Executive Council found them "dependable and accurate in regards to the scientific material presented" (see foreword by H. Harold Hartzler in Science Speaks). 

It doesn't take a mathematical genius to understand that a 1 in a quintillion shot of winning something is astronomically impossible. Believe me when I tell you, if casino owners used those odds in a promotion to lure customers to Vegas, they would never attract a single gambler. Those kinds of odds are proof that any prophecies being fulfilled are a result of shear chance. So what can we campare a number with 17 zeros with? Is there any comparison we can make to help understand that huge number?

Where is our Hope?

by Jose Barajas

I love the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption. It is based on a short story from one of my favorite writers when I was growing up, Stephen King. Andy Dufresne is imprisoned for killing his wife, even though he didn’t do it. After having spent two weeks in solitaire confinement for playing opera music over the prison loudspeakers, Andy is telling his fellow inmates how it was the two easiest weeks because of the music he had in his heart and mind. Him and Red, his best friend in prison, go back and forth saying, 

“Andy Dufresne : That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you... Haven't you ever felt that way about music? 

Red : I played a mean harmonica as a younger man. Lost interest in it though. Didn't make much sense in here. 

Andy Dufresne : Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so you don't forget. 

Red : Forget? 

Andy Dufresne : Forget that... there are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside... that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's yours. 

Red : What're you talking about? 

Four Views Of Eschatology

by Chuck Ness

To fully appreciate “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”, one must read it in conjunction with passages from other books of the Bible. Specifically, but not exclusively, Scriptures found in Daniel, Zechariah, Ezekiel, and various verses found in the New Testament. I also believe having an understanding of world history, economics, and politics is a must to get a proper perspective of the end times. However, even with all these tools at ones disposal we find no shortage of opinions as to what these visions of John represents.

A quick search on Google shows that there are almost 100 million sites claiming to have insight that can help the reader understand this book, and that is just the English web sites. What and who to believe can be greatly influenced by each individual’s understanding of a select number of Scriptures and ones understanding of when this letter was written. Even among those who agree on the major points find that they disagree on many minor issues. To make it a bit simpler, there are four four distinct interpretations when it comes to eschatology, Preterist, Historicist, Spiritualist, and Futurist.

Silver Coins? Why Not Gold?

Mark A. Atterson

“SILVER COINS”? WHY NOT GOLD? These TEN coins correlate to PEOPLE WHO ARE SINNERS, therefore THEY ARE EXTREMELY VALUABLE IN THE EYES OF GOD. But isn't** GOLD** more valuable than SILVER? This all depends upon your PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL perspectives. As the late Dr. Chuck Missler pointed out time and again, “Silver is Levitically symbolic of BLOOD. We will find that the Tabernacle rested on silver, with every detail being symbolic of Christ... wood once alive depicted (Christ's Humanity), the gold His Diety, The planks rested on SILVER SOCKETS; silver is the Levitical symbol for BLOOD...” Even Judas, as he threw the 30 pieces of SILVER on the temple floor, exclaimed, “Behold I have betrayed innocent BLOOD!” Matthew 27:4. SILVER CONNOTATES SACRIFICE, THE LETTING OF BLOOD. Everything OUTSIDE the Tabernacle was SILVER, but INSIDE WAS GOLD.

"The law says that almost everything must be made clean by blood. Sins cannot be forgiven without a blood sacrifice"
Hebrews 9:22.

Pour Out Your Blessings To The Lord

Peter C. Steinhagen

He would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
2 Samuel 23:16

What has been like “water from the well of Bethlehem” to you recently— love, friendship, or maybe some spiritual blessing (2 Samuel 23:16)? Have you taken whatever it may be, even at the risk of damaging your own soul, simply to satisfy yourself? If you have, then you cannot pour it out “to the Lord.” You can never set apart for God something that you desire for yourself to achieve your own satisfaction. If you try to satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you. You must sacrifice it, pouring it out to God— something that your common sense says is an absurd waste.

Giving Comes With A Price

by Chima Anaele Sylvanus

Sometimes the beauty of our faith is not seen in our preaching, anointing, noise making, programs, nor in our zealousness but rather in our simple act of kindness. Just as David's heart was revealed in the kindness he showed Johnathan's  grandson, Mephibosheth. (2Samuel Ch 9)

For many, ministry is just tool they use to acquire earthly treasures, yet for the Apostle it was the other way round. Their labor was more intense and harder than other men so as to be a blessing to the weak and the poor saints. They did not mind doing anything for the glory of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ.

God's Handywork Psalm 19:1

”To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory
of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 (Amplified Bible)

by Adam Lustig

One thing is for sure, whether we are believers in Yahshua or not, the busyness of this life can attribute to us forgetting the essentials of life. Folks that are far away from God get caught up in the trappings of this world and the business of it eventually brings them to a place where they say “where has my life gone.”

I love this time of the year, Nov 01 - 12/31, is my favorite because, thankfulness is on my thoughts. From God’s daily blessings to the birth of the savior of the world, my heart is glad.

What About The Sabbath?

To be used with Matthew 11:1-19 Study

To understand the division of Bible into chapters and verses

by Chuck Ness

Throughout His ministry, Jesus never once broke the fourth commandment which required that all Jews observe the Sabbath. He was after all Jew. However, He did give us a clue that a change to the Sabbath was coming. To make my point, you must first understand that the original manuscripts of the Scriptures were not divided into verses and chapters.

The Old Testament manuscripts were written by scribes for the religious leaders to study. The New Testament manuscripts were letters originally written to be dispersed amongst the believers to read. They were like the letters you receive today. Just a document written in sentences and paragraphs with no verse or chapter numbers.

Christianity

The Ancient Church of Antioch is in Damascus Syria. It was on the
road to Antioch where Saul of Tarsus met Christ and was converted.
It's also where the followers of Christ were first called Christians.

by Adam Lustig

”Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought
him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught
great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."
Acts 11:25-26

Have you ever thought what the world would be like without Christianity impacting it? Ask a secular person who has heard propaganda and misinformation about Christianity and they will tell you everything they have heard minus the the truth of scripture. Many of us get upset the way Christianity has been attacked by the/a lie, forgetting that many of us were there at one time.

A Soldier In Training

by David M Heishman

I’m A Soldier In Training; In God’s Army Enlisted;
I Will March For My Master; And My Father’s Insisted.
He Has Called Me To Share; As I Go On This Mission;
I Will Minister Hope To The Hurting; As They’re Placed In Condition.

When Was Jesus Really Born?

Christ's Birthday

I found this in a file on my hard drive. I did not create the whole article, but through the years I have opened it and added some thoughts here and there. To be honest, it has been in my file so long I cannot remember what I added, or what was originally in it when I found it. The original file date says 2004, and the last time I edited it was 2018, so it's been on my hard drive for almost 18 years. My how time can go by. I tried to find out who put the original article together, but all the links are dead. So I'm clueless as to who the original author is. I offer it as food for thought. The more we know, the more we know we don't know. However, with help from God, we can continue to grow in HIS knowledge.

Today, Christians around the world celebrate December 25 as the birth date of Christ. But this is incorrect. The date was chosen to attract the people of the pagan religion, who celebrated the birth date of the sun on that day.

The story of the birth of Christ and John, pinpoints the exact date of his birth. According to Luke, the Angel Gabriel visited Zacharias while he was performing his priestly duties. He announced the birth of his child, John.

Why Does God Allow Christians to Suffer?

by Chuck Ness

“Why didn’t God just create us so that we would never have to experience pain, suffering, or sadness?”

The best way to answer this question, is to start at the beginning where original sin began. Now the best description I have ever read that describes sin is, anything that falls short of the perfection of a perfect GOD. When we refer to sin we also use the word evil, which is the opposite of what God embodies. Now we know that God has the power to make the world free of evil, yet to truly stop evil from ever happening is to deny one the free will to do as one desires. However, God wanted a creature that was as close to being like HIMSELF, without being HIM. Thus when HE made man, HE made man in HIS image with free will. 

With this free will came the possibility that Adam and Eve might disobey God of their own volition, and partake of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Thanks to some coaxing from Satan, Eve was deceived into consuming the fruit and offered some to Adam. Adam, choosing Eve over GOD, also ate of the fruit. Thus, the first two humans exercised their God given right of free will, and they chose unwisely. 

God's Wisdom vs Man's Wisdom

by Chuck Ness

This is a topical message I shared with the Ladies of Windchime back in 2006. I only have a handful of messages recored, because I lost 99% of them when I had a hard drive fail on my some years back. This is one of the messages I was able to save.

Paul tells us that Christ is the Wisdom of GOD, so if you do not have Christ in your heart, it is impossible to make wise decisions. Without the Wisdom of GOD, we will continue to make decisions based upon man's wisdom. Yet we know that God uses foolish things to bring man's wisdom to shame.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.1Corinthians 1:26-31

Filthy Rags

by Chuck Ness

"But we are all like an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6

The Prophet Isaiah summed up the reprobate state into which God's chosen people had sunk. Though they had the blessing of the Law given to them by Moses, when he conversed with God on Mount Sinai, they had turned from their Lawgiver and become more wretched than the people who did not have the Law. God's chosen people were worshiping false gods. Isaiah 42:17 They were reveling in idolatry so much so that the prophet called Jerusalem a harlot that was as evil as the Sodomites. Isaiah 1:21 &  3:9.

Yet, the people had an illusion of righteousness. Many, especially the religious leaders who helped lead them into sin, professed to be "holier than thou," all the while burning incense on strange altars. Isaiah 65:3-2 However, God did not look upon their self righteousness as anything but pollution. He even told them He hated the Sabbaths and feasts that He had Himself ordained. Isaiah 1:13-14 The house of Jacob had rendered even its best acts of religious activity to nothing but apostasy in God's eyes. They were all unclean and dead like the leaves of fall, and their iniquities were like the wind that would cause them to be carried away. Isaiah 64:6.

Bible Study to Bibles to Baptism (Video)

I put this video together from many pictures my brother in Christ, Billo Das sent me. I added some images from before he got Bibles, along with images of him handing out Bibles and then the students using them. In the video you will see Billo baptizing 50 new converts. Most are former Hindus, and a few may be Muslim, but all have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Could I get an amen.

Many cannot appreciate the gift of Bibles. Yet in a country as poor as Bengladesh most do not own anything but the cloths on their back. So to own a Bible is a huge thing, especiually for the younger students. In America many kids have a phone by the time they are ten years old, but in Bangladesh most adults do not even own a phone. I suggest you look around your home and consider all you own that you take for granted.

I Failed As A Watchman

by Chuck Ness

An acquaintance whom I worked with on a few jobs around the valley died from COVID complications this past week. He had respiratory problems already, and he was in his late 60s. My heart is broken, because I was a bad watchman. He knew I am a Christian, but I never pushed the issue of his faith to know where he was.

True, only God knows our hearts, and until we get to heaven none of us truly know where another persons heart is. Yet, I never heard him speak of Jesus, and he never joined in a conversation whenever I would bring up my faith or beliefs.

On his fb page he has never mentioned the name of a Jesus, nor even eluded to his faith in any way. I do know he spent much free time fishing and traveling places to fish, and he enjoyed drinking socially but was not one to over indulge.

Lest We Forget, A List of People Killed From 9/11 Attack

by Chuck Ness

Many Americans just don't understand the gift our Founding Fathers gave us when they wrote the Constitution. After the Bible and the Magna Carta, the US Constitution is most powerful document in the history of mankind. Yet to keep it relevant we need moral leaders to uphold the laws codified in the constitution and our legal system. This is something we have failed to do. What just took place in Afghanistan, with our President surrendering to a bunch of cave dwelling terrorists, is what happened when immorality is not demanded in our leaders.

On this, the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we now know what happened when our leaders care more about their power then they do the people. Without a doubt, Bill Clinton is responsible for the deaths of those listed below. In order to keep Bill and Hillary from being convicted in Whitewater they devised a plan to thwart jusitice. In 1995 Bill Clinton had his Deputy Attorney General, Jamie Gorelick, create a wall of separation that kept the Judiciary department from sharing any information gathered in legal court cases with the CIA of the FBI. Therefore invading the privacy of nice young men like, say, Muhammed Atta and Zacarius Moussaoui, who was being tried for terrorism, created the situation on 9/11 to take place.

A Singular Purpose

by Chuck Ness

Man goes through life living for what they can achieve before they die. Along the way we sink into quicksand. As we slowly sink, we are visited by many prophets who have much wisdom for us.

Confucius tells us, “It is evident man should avoid such situations.” And continues on his way leaving the us in the fix we got ourselves in.

Mohammed comes by and says, “Alas, it is the will of Allah.” And he goes on his way leaving us to our misery.

My Lord, My Jesus, My All (Morning Devotional)

by Chuck Ness

My morning journal entry after reading and meditating on the Word. Today I read through the Gospel of John………………

LORD my GOD, I cannot see my end, so I know You have more tasks for me to accomplish. As I continue to grow through Your grace, You continue to bless me with Your Wisdom and Knowledge. While blessing me with Understanding so that others will benefit through me as I have from them.

A Feeling of Inadequacy (Morning Devotional)

by Chuck Ness

My morning journal entry after reading and meditating on the Word. Today I read through the Gospel of John………………

LORD my GOD, I cannot see my end, so I know You have more tasks for me to accomplish. As I continue to grow through Your grace, You continue to bless me with Your Wisdom and Knowledge. While blessing me with Understanding so that others will benefit through me as I have from them.

Yet so often I feel inadequate and unworthy. I ask myself, am I ready and willing to drink from the same cup my which my Lord, drank from? Am I ready to follow the One who bled it all out so that I can be set free from the bondage of sin? Do I truly know what it means to pick up my cross and climb that same hill to my fleshly demise for the One Who went before me?

A New Paradigm?

by Chuck Ness

So I finished reading the Gospel of Mark in my morning quiet time, and wrote the followomng in my journal. I had no idea what to write, it's like I had writers block, so I just started writing what came into my head. Call me a kook or say it was the Holy Spirit, either way I was quite shocked by what I wrote. What follows is what I wrote……….

Time will tell if America is in a free fall, or in a momentary stumble. However, we all see many signs that lead us to believe that the end could be nearer than we expected. When we look beyond the obvious, what could be taking place is but a shift of an internal struggle for control.

Touch Us And Fill Us With Your Spirit

by David M Heishman

I Prayed To The Lord; Expecting Some Changes;
I Must Thank Him And Praise Him; As His Spirit Arranges.

There’s A Burden Existing, And The Yoke Has Been Broken;
By The Power Of Jesus; Whose Own Words Have Been Spoken.
The Lord Sees All Issues, And The Prayers Are Unending;
He Is With You Forever; All Your Days He’ll Be Spending.

Be Not Concerned; For He’s Planned For This Mission;
For He’s Sent Me To Share; As His Only Condition.
There Are So Many Needs; With My Heart I’ll Be Praying;
As I Wait For God’s Purpose; My Own Faith Will Be Staying.

Open Your Eyes And See

by Chuck Ness

I wrote this in my journal after my morning quiet time in the Lord's Word.

I am but who I am. Some will find me pleasant and some will find me offensive. Those who find me offensive though, are the ones who cannot stand to hear the truth. It has been like this for many years, because so many just want their itchy ears scratched.

Quite frankly I have never been one to join a crowd of idiots fawning over other idiots who think they are cool. I see ignorance and I point it out. Sadly the majority of humans today are just that, idiots fawning over other idiots.

God tells us to be honest and tell the truth, so is it truth to ignore evil by smiling while laughing when someone says or does something that is harmful to them and those around them?

The Lord Touched With Compassion

by David M Heishman

The Lord Spoke To My Spirit; You Must Tell The Lost People;
They Must Come To Me Now; Those Not Under A Steeple.
They Are Living In Darkness, And They Search For The Light;
As They Ask For My Mercy, And This Hour Is Right.

They Are Looking For Answers; For The Truth They Are Searching;
As They Wonder Alone, And Their Evils Are Lurching.

A Harlot's Faith That Moved A Mountain

by Chuck Ness

There are four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus Christ, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. The second one, Rahab, was the harlot of Jericho who protected the men sent out by Joshua to spy on the city. Besides being a direct ancestor of Christ, Rahab is also one of only two women mentioned in Hebrews for their triumph of faith. The other being Abraham's wife Sarah.

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a
child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
(Hebrew 11:11)

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot
Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
(Hebrew 11:30-31)

Then we read in James,

My Bangladesh Ministry Update

(If you would like to donate, follow this link below)
Calvary Chapel Ministry Bangladesh Billa Das

by Chuck Ness

I want to share a short video of my brother in Bangladesh doing the Lord's work. He travels many miles to teach and distribute Bibles and other items our Lord has gifted him. You must understand that while we are worried about being persecuted for our faith in the United States, in Billa's country, Christians are already being persecuted. Billa lives in a predominantly Muslim country who's government is not friendly to Christians. Yet, he still goes out daily to spread the Gospel and teach Bible classes to orphans. I am convinced that one day Billa will hear Christ say,

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

(Matthew 25:21)

"Fury" WWII Movie Worth Watching

M551 Sheridan Tank

by Chuck Ness

I don’t watch much television anymore. If I do they are old Westerns or reruns of old sitcoms. There isn’t much coming out of Hollywood worth watching, but a friend recommended the movie, “Fury”. I said if it’s ever on for free I would. Well it was on AMC, so I watched it.

The movie takes place near the end of WWII, when Germany was throwing everything they had into the battle in an attempt to stop the allied invasion from reaching Berlin. The best chance Hitler had was using what he had left of his famous Panzer tanks.

It's Ok To Lose Your Head For Christ

by Chuick Ness

Many Christians today are unwilling to face persecution for the truth. They want a simple easy life with no confrontations, and thus no condemnation. This is why so many Christians avoid situations that could cause strife. Well, we can be thankful that Jesus never avoided confrontations. In fact he took the problem of sin straight to the cross.  It's easy to ignore confrontation by not doing what we are called to do. Paul spent the last 20 years of his life confronting the problem of sin in the World by sharing how Christ died for our sins. In the end, he lost his head because he refused to back down.

Consider the many Israelites captured by the enemy who never returned home, but instead reached their captors with the truth of the true God. We have all had our moments of fear that we may be persecuted. However, it is a weakness to worry about troubles that could forever disrupt our lives. I see many Christians worry and complain about the persecution we see going on around us in these trying times we live in. Yet how often have you truly considered the blessings God dispersed to us through our tragedies?

Prohibition on Homosexuality Was Not Repealed By Christ

Today there are many false Christian teachers who are are leading many poor souls straight to hell by claiming that Jesus never spoke against the union of two men or two women, so homosexuality is now condoned by God. 

 Let me say right from the start, except for the ceremonials ones (which Jesus repealed), all of the Mosaic laws are still in force. That is because there were three categories of laws given to Israel: civil, ceremonial, and moral. The civil laws were ONLY given to the Israel. The ceremonial laws were filled and abolished in Christ. The moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments and other Mosaic moral laws are universal. They are part of Natural and Divine Law. As for the Sabbath, Jesus is our Sabbath rest. Our rest is in Him. Homosexuality, however, is clearly contrary to moral and natural laws. All forms of homosexuality are condemned, past, present, and future.

A Poem For My Wife

My wife Sharee and I, in 2004



I LOVE YOU MY SWEET

If I knew how to write a song
I’d write one everyday
It would say that I’m in love with you
And why I feel this way

It would have to say you’re pretty
And as rare as a desert rose
It would say you’re a looker
From your head down to your toes

You are funny, dainty, fragile
And as feminine as can be
You’re smart charming lovely
And everything to me

You’re my comfort when I’m lonely
You’re my peace when I need rest
Of all the women I’ve known
I must rate you the best.

You’re the orchard in the jungle,
you’re the better half of me
You’re all of this and so much more,
you mean the world to me

Still so much is left unsaid,
It would take me far to long
I know how much I love you,
If only I could write a song.

by, Stormbringer

Bangladesh Calvary Christian Ministry

Please Click On Image Above To Donate
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
(1 Peter 4:10)

Donations appreciated for the Bangladesh Calvary Christian Ministry I am supporting in Bangladesh

I am doing a fundraiser to help finance a mission I help in Bangladesh. It is run by Pastor Billa Mangal Das. Bill travels as far as 1292 kilometers in his quest to teach over 1630 children, teens, and some young adults in Bangladesh. Some classes have as few as 11 children and some have over 300 students. He covers 5 Districts and 20 towns in his travels very week.

Bill does most of his travel on foot, or a bicycle. Sometimes, if he can afford it, he will rent a car or a motorcycle, but that is rare. During the Summer, he will often times travel at nighttime, because it is too hot to travel long distances in the day time.

A Seed Planted & Forgotten, But Not By God

What follows is a beautiful true story of a seed planted by a couple of missionaries, David and Svea Flood. The one seed they planted was forgotten, but not by God.

We see the here now, but God sees the future. If we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can do anything. Many have lived and died, never to see what growth the seeds they planted created. I tell you today that many seeds will grow and reach maturity and then plant their own seeds.

God is good to His word, we just need to have faith and know that He who has begun a good work in us will continue it on into the future long after we ourselves have gone to heaven. One day all who have faith, will be blessed by the many souls we meet in Heaven because of a seed we planted. One can only imagine. What follows is a beautiful true story of a seed planted that was forgotten about, but not by God.

Lessons On Life From Home Plate

Chris Sperry

Most people won’t take the time to read this all the way to the end. I hope that you will. 17 INCHES” – you will not regret reading this

An excellent article to read from beginning to end.

Twenty years ago, in Nashville, Tennessee, during the first week of January, 1996, more than 4,000 baseball coaches descended upon the Opryland Hotel for the 52nd annual ABCA’s convention.

While I waited in line to register with the hotel staff, I heard other more veteran coaches rumbling about the lineup of speakers scheduled to present during the weekend. One name kept resurfacing, always with the same sentiment — “John Scolinos is here? Oh, man, worth every penny of my airfare.”

A Father Pays The Price For His Children's Crimes

As a gift of his love for his eight-year old son, a father gives him a baseball and a bat. The father tells the boy to be carefull as to not break any windows, nor harm anyone with the toys.

So the boy takes his gift and goes outside to play with the new toy. He grabs the bat with his hand, rests it upon his shoulder and tosses the ball into the air with his other hand. As the ball descends he swings the bat at the ball. To his complete enjoyment, the boy hits the ball squarely and it goes sailing into the air. As the baseball flies across the yard, it enters the neighbors yard and smashes into their living room window.

That's when the neighbor comes outside to confront the boy about his window. The neighbor realizes that an eight-year old boy cannot fix, nor pay for the broken window. Yet he demands justice. So he confronts the boys father, who gave him the destructive instruments that shattered his living room window.

An Ominous Feeling For The Future, Yet Still In Peace Through Christ

by Chuck Ness

An ominous feeling came over me while I was in my morning quiet time of reading the Scriptures. I pray it’s just a feeling of human despair, but it seems so much more. What has happened around the World in the last few Months is similar to what was happening around the World in the mid 1930's. OH how I feel the Lord has truly turned away from us.

It is without a doubt there are many Christians in America who are not ready for the next chapter of the end. Like in the days after King Josiah of Judah died, so too are the days for America today. While not all the people were evil then, it's a fact that the vast majority did not follow God. So too are the people of America today. The vast majority of Americans do not follow Christ. Even most who call Him Lord do not follow His ways, they are more carnal than spiritual. God wants us 24/7, not just on Sunday morning for a few hours.

Thoughts I Had As I Watched The News

by Chuck Ness

We must all remember to live as an example to others, so that the World can see what the Grace of God can do through the sacrifice of His Son. Then we will be more successful at winning the hearts and minds of the lost. If possible, we are to use HIS words to bolster our example, but we must use them Scripturally.

All Christians know that our Spirit is in a constant battle with our flesh. I myself desire to be an example so others can see HIS light through me, yet my flesh is constantly getting angry over the rise of Satan's power in the World.

Do Pets Go To Heaven?

This is one of two opinions being posting,
pertaining to often asked question,
"Will Pets Go To Heaven"

by Adam Lustig

For as long as I can remember, after becoming a Christian, the question often arises "will my pet be in heaven with me?

It's a good question for those of us that are pet lovers, because of our attachment to our pets. I also am a pet lover who has lost two dogs and am now the owner of a terrier/dachshund mix named molly who loves our family to death.

To bring some clarity to this question, of our pets being in heaven with us, I have gleaned some thoughts from Jack Wellman, a Christian author, and pastor of Evangelical Free Church in Udall, KS. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read what pastor Wellman has written on this subject if this is a question you are struggling with. And as always, in advance, Thanks for Listening.

DO OUR PETS GO TO HEAVEN? 

Almost everyone has lost a beloved pet. They become part of the family and many couples who are childless consider their pets as their own children. So what happens to pets after they die? Do they go to heaven? Will we ever see our dearly departed pets again? What is their fate? What does the Bible say about animals after they die? These precious loved animals including dogs, cats, horses, and even a few unorthodox pets that families have grown to love and grieve after they are gone. Let's see what the Word of God says about whether or not animals or pets go to heaven?

Let's Roll Together (Political Commentary I wrote in 2016)

I wrote this commentary for a blog I used to contribute
contribute to back in 2009. If you would like to see the
comments it generated, follow the link. I believe you will
the comment section to be interesting, since I wrote this
back in the Summer of the 2016 Primary election season
We now know who won, and what happened in the intervening
years after Donald Trump became President.
Comments from article at Post Scripts

by Chuck Ness

I for one do not like the result of this primary race, but who would after they put their heart and soul into wanting to win. It was a classic battle, but Trump won. Just like military academies teach the logistics of some of history’s greatest battles of war, so too will this epic battle be taught for generations to come by Political Science instructors. The lessons learned will affect the way politicians run their campaigns for decades.

Both sides got down and dirty, as they obliterated the detente that made everyone speculate as to why they refused to attack each other early in the campaign. Often times even those who are the best of friends can have the nastiest of breakups.