Evil in Every Direction

As I watch the news, the evil is displayed in every direction. Big tech and government bureaucracies that were not elected by us are destroying our beautiful nation from the inside. Lies are dispersed that damage good individuals and institutions. This is not about physical problems but about wars within the spirit. The Apostle Paul said,

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Yes, we are being hit by these spiritual powers from the dark world at every turn. Worried tremendously about the above, I began to seek answers.  Knowing that you cannot solve spiritual problems with physical solutions, I began to specifically seek answers as to what I should do next. After speaking with a fellow minister, it became clear. Next time you have the opportunity, do the best thing you can do to perform Divine Elohim’s will.

What is the Next Best Thing?

One of my personal next best things is to put my very heart into my communications with others. There are three levels of fighting spiritual battles, and being a retired Army person, I can place them into military lingo easily:

Strategic- This is like bombing the enemy strongholds. It depletes the enemy’s strength from afar. Ministers, to include myself, should write good quality sermons that go out over the internet and spread the gospel (good news) of our Messiah to the ends of the earth. If we ask the Holy Spirit to guide these bombs of divine inspiration, it places the learning on target better than any bomb sight mankind ever made.

Tactical- Fighting the enemy up close. In war, this includes rifles, pistols, grenades, and even hand to hand combat. This is taking Satan and his demons on in the name of our Messiah to defeat them up close and personal. It is also a personal war within ourselves.

Operational- In war this is beans, bullets, and preserving the fighting strength through medical and surgical care. We are to support those who are fighting both strategically and tactically.

Remember the enemy is strong and always on the prowl:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

The Importance of Each Member:

² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.  1 Corinthians 12: 2-19

There are members who give their tithes and offerings to God’s work. There are members who take care of the church building and security systems. There are those who cook wonderful dishes and bring them into church so we can have fellowship and joy while we eat those great foods. There are those who serve as officers to include the president of the board, the vice president, secretary, and treasurer. We have those who preach and teach the gospel, take care of the sound room, and so on. Many, in our church, have multiple roles. Break one link in the chain and the whole process is weakened.

Supporting the Body of Christ:

24 The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. 25 In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are to care for one another.  All of what we do should be to support each other in our church and to help the Ecclesia, the called out ones or the Universal Church of God.

Conclusion:

Would it not be wonderful that after the first resurrection we meet somebody who stated: I heard your broadcast and found my way to the Body of Christ after what you said. Remember, all of us placed those words there. All of us fought personal battles to continue to support the works of Yahweh, and all of us supported each other and people we will never meet until after the resurrection.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14.

We may be close to the end and evil may abound, but we must remember- we are to teach all nations:

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.

Disciples means students, and we are to be students, followers, and teachers for the rest of our lives. In this time of troubles, we are those who work on many very important levels to do the next best things. To pray, witness, take care of others, and place the teachings of God around the world.

²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘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.’

These talents are not what the world thinks, but all of us want to hear the words in verse 21- “Well done My good and faithful servant.”

To me a talent in today’s vernacular means abilities. Are we able to publicly speak, sing, play a musical instrument, or do something else special?

Yet, we think of talents such as public speaking- the one with the powers of oration or convincing others, the one who can speak so well, would make the best minister. But we can do a study about Moses in Exodus 4:10-16 we read: 10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and [a]slow of tongue.”

Yahweh did not intend at first for Aaron to be the spokesman; He intended Moses to speak. Yet, Moses probably stuttered, but Yahweh informed Moses that He made man’s mouth.

Often, we say I can’t speak like that, or I could never do that, but actually, the talents do not lie on the outside but on the inside. Moses was far greater than I in his life, but He made a mistake here. He looked on the outward and the physical rather than looking on the inside for what Yahweh told him to do and accomplish. In Matthew 25:24-30, we can read about what happened to the man with one talent that did not utilize it: ²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Mankind says we must have certain abilities before we can perform- only the best should do this or that.

But Yahweh told Moses to go and speak when He knew speaking was not a great ability of Moses.

If we are to make the first resurrection, it will not come from our abilities as mankind sees them, but it will depend on our going and doing as God directed us.

Moses argued with Yahweh, and it made Yahweh angry.

Our country was not based on royalty but on achievement. There was never to be a caste system in this country- even our declaration of independence says- “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Some of the greatest feats of mankind were not done by those that society deemed capable.

My father could not read or write, yet he raised a family and ran a business, never asked for help from the government, owned a nice home and a nice shop with equipment for his business when he died.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were bicycle specialist, yet they built a flyable airplane. Now, we can travel great distances in jet planes.
Beethoven, the famous German composer who lived in the mid to late 1700’s and died in 1826, was deaf and had to use letters to communicate. Yet, he wrote symphonies that influences music even today. There are many others, and if you look on line some of the great inventions or feats done by paraplegics, the elderly, and others you will find how people overcame their handicaps to accomplish great things. Great things are done by those who could easily be dismissed in today’s society.

I think God was trying to tell Moses that greatness comes from within- how we obey God and have faith that he will carry us through.

Some time ago, I heard that a young couple should probably not have children- she has not finished her education and on and on.

Yet, what if that is not God’s plan. We can get wait until everything is just right, or we can step out on faith. So often, like Moses, we talk ourselves out of things because we have problems that we think are not surmountable. But God knows no bounds.

The best things we can do is make sure it is God’s will and then go from there. After all, Abraham and Zachariah- the father of John the Baptist- were told they would have children in their old age.

God made mouths, ears, and hands. Yet, we are full of excuses that say why we cannot achieve.

Maybe, we should try to learn more about what God wants and not about what we can do. God can fix it so we can achieve anything within his will- we just need to find His will and obey.

Pastor Nick

I live in a home that is special to me, but I cannot hold onto it forever. Eventually, I will either sell it or pass on leaving it either way to someone else.

I remember staying in an antebellum home in Mississippi for my honeymoon. The home was very old, large, and beautiful, but during the tour, the tour guide talked about all the owners since it was built. The list was long and many lost it due to death while some to not being able to pay taxes; there were various other reasons. The man who owned it was getting married in the elaborate home and was planning the ceremony while Lisa and I stayed there. Yet, he will not be able to keep it forever. Eventually, he will also not be the owner due to death or some other reason.

It is true on earth that we have no permanent home, but for us, this really should not matter. We do have a permanent home with our Messiah.

Scripture: Psalm 90
90 Lord, You have been our dwelling place[a] in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are the eternal.
3 You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
4 For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
5 You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
7 For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.

8 You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

This psalm reminds us that we are at home with the Messiah when we are following Him in spirit and in truth.

He is our home and has been our home from the beginning of time, and this is important because we only live about 70 years or a few more years if we are strong enough.

Due to our limited time of life, we are to work for Him and be His servants.

So, while we live, we have a home with Him. He is to guide our lives, and we are to be subservient.

We have the certainty of an eternal home. The feast of trumpets is our rehearsal that He will return for us-

Scripture: John 14:1-6
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Our Messiah promised that He will return for us and that He stands as our Representative to the Father in heaven.
We also learn in the Feast of Tabernacles, among other things, that we are in a temporary dwelling place in our bodies.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5

5 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the eternal.

According to Paul, we are in a body analogous to a tent- a temporary dwelling place. We have a permanent and perfect body awaiting us in a perfect place of the future.

It really is true that our Messiah is our dwelling place through the physical generations as stated by Moses and in the world tomorrow as stated by John and Paul as I read earlier.

Our hope and eternal home are in our Messiah. One song says “This world is not my home, I am just a passing through” while another song says “Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.”

Also, we sing a song in this church called “Harvest Home”.

These are our greatest blessings: to live according to the Bible and to be reborn to live with our Messiah forever. No one can destroy or alter these facts.

I close with two verses not usually sung from Amazing Grace-

“The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.”

“The world will soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbade to shine, but God who called me here below, will be forever mine.”

The eloquent words from “Amazing Grace” tell the story of His love for us. Troubles will come to those who follow Him, but the reward is so great. Eternity awaits us once this flesh fails, and our temporary dwelling places are changed to that which lasts throughout eternity.
Pastor Nick

The people who follow the Messiah are simple people who love God, each other, and follow His rules. They will be blessed among all others in the world tomorrow.

When my second parent died, the family bible was given to me. In the middle of our old family bible is a section written in large fancy letters titled “the four gems of the bible”. It lists these gems or jewels as The Ten Commandments, The 23rd Psalm, the Beatitudes, and The Lord’s Prayer.

I love the idea of these four gems sectioned off in the middle of the bible because it reminds me of our Messiah’s words directly to us.

We are to follow the ten commandments to live peacefully with both God and man, we have the promises of the 23rd psalm that Yahweh is our Sheppard and will take care of us if we follow Him, and we have our divine pattern of prayer in the Lord’s prayer. And, the beatitudes give us more about who we are as followers of our Savior.

These writings are not for the world, yet the world would prosper and become a beautiful place if people would just follow these four gems that take such a small portion in the middle of my old family Bible.

Our Messiah spoke of beatitudes or blessings directly to us- His people. Matthew 5:1-12 states:
5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the [a]earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In the sermon on the mount or the beatitudes as many know these verses, our Messiah is speaking directly to all His people that will follow Him through time, and He is speaking to all of us today.

We are to be meek and simple. We are not to complicate our lives with lies and other complications. We are to speak the truth and be humble and meek. We are to be peacemakers, and we are to forgive others. We are also to remember that many who followed before us were persecuted and not get upset when evil things happen to us. We are to work for righteousness’s sake which means trying to practice right ways.

Messiah is not speaking in these verses to the world. He is speaking to His dedicated followers who will continue to follow Him throughout the ages. Usually, the groups will be small, devoted, and loving both our Savior and His laws. Our Messiah wants us to know about these things, and he is giving us the speech even today- the words are just as direct and loving as when He spoke them on the mount over two thousand years ago.

We also notice in verse 10 the most wonderful promise of all, “For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”.

I am a simple person with simple thoughts. The Kingdom of Heaven denotes a King or divine ruler over all. Our King will have His subjects that He will give His Kingdom to- these ten verses should describe us and is our promise of all that is to come.

I was given a cassette tape once from a Messianic Jewish friend by the late Zola Levitt; Pastor Levitt was speaking about the Beatitudes and used that term.

This Beatitudes, as he pointed out, is the way that Kingdom people should treat each other. We should be humble and meek to each other. We should practice the right ways with each other. We should apply all these things to our lives.

In 1 John 2: 6-11 we read:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

We are to care for and love each other. We are to do good things for each other.

Our Messiah told Pilot in John 18:36 that His Kingdom is not of the world, or His servants would fight: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

If our Messiah’s Kingdom is not of this world, and we are kingdom people who have already declared Christ our King, then we are not of this world either.

This world will not feel exactly correct as our home. We look ahead to a better world that will not have the strife, the murders, the politicians that lie, and all the other worries of the flesh.

We are a people set apart, not by complicated laws and promises, but by a few pages of written jewels in the middle of my family bible.

We are set apart by God’s laws and promises to us- His Kingdom people.

We will not fare as well on this earth as those who are friends with the world and its actions. But we are not of this world anyway. We are of the Kingdom and the coming world tomorrow as was said. I love to read the simple big words in the middle of my family Bible. The words are simple, and we are simple. Yet, between the pages of our simple worded Bibles, lies the hope for all people and the world. Simple jewels that are our steadfast hopes and blessings, and we await the days of peace and prosperity that these simple words will bring when our Messiah will set up His Kingdom on the Earth- the earth that we will inherit.
Pastor Nick

Anger is a feeling of extreme hostility, rage, and wanting to fight back according to the definition in Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus that I own.

Often, it is a response that we have when we are assaulted or wronged either mentally or physically.

The Bible clearly tells us to not get angry and that patience and trust in God is better than anger:
“7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:7-8.

There is much evidence that crafty politicians are rich due to their deviance, but we should not look at others prosperity, the riches they have, or the efficiency of how others plans have succeeded and be bothered, angry, or even jealous of them. Do not think that I am against hard work and prosperity. I believe it is OK to be rich if you earned it legally.

Often, I see hidden agendas drive people to do horrible things, even in God’s church.
The Bible also says that anger will not help you live the kind of life that you should live:
“19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20.

We can often have our own agendas and even nations have rage and anger that leads to useless stances against God. Psalm 2 tells our rulers to not be angry and that Yahweh is still in charge and that we should place our trust in Him:
“2 Why do the [a]nations [b]rage,
And the people plot a [c]vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed,[d] saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have [e]set My King
[f]On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the [g]decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall [h]break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 [i]Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2

The world’s methods of dealing with anger is seen in the news and in our entertainment such as movies.
It is about people lashing out in rage to include jealousy, revenge, or even hatred because someone has worked and prospered and has riches because of their work and efficiency. I hear politicians do this and say evil against others just because they have money or fame but do not believe as politicians think they should. I see in Westerns and other movies people vent on revenge and vengeance on those who wronged them.
Sometimes personally, the wrong is only perceived but is seen through our memory of bad events that we perceive the same thing going to happen again even though the threat is not real.

The world teaches in movies and in many circumstances to react with rage. I am not speaking about protecting yourself such as when your life or someone’s life is in danger. At that time, we should do what we have to do to survive. But I am saying the world’s methods of lashing out with anger with the physical or mental weapons is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

We can hurt a person both physically or mentally or both by not controlling our anger. Physical weapons of anger are guns, knives, blunt objects, fists, and other forms of weapons used in violence. Mental weapons can be cutting someone down in public, gossip, rumors, and even speaking badly behind a person’s back.

But the Bible teaches us about the ultimate weapons against anger:
“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:10-20

Anger sometimes consumes us because we are seeing our country eroding away with greedy politicians and those with evil intentions. Let us remember, the most powerful weapons against our own anger and against other’s anger toward us are spiritual and include prayer, faith, love, patience, and forgiveness.

Rage can only lead to guilt and harm toward others- even an unkind word as we know can hurt for years.

We must remember that rage and anger lead to violence and harm. It can lead to grief and vengeance, and often the punishment we give does not fit the crime. The emotion of anger turned within ourselves makes us depressed and bitter.

Yet, we are to deal with our anger through our Messiah and look at anger as a spiritual problem to be solved with spiritual weapons. Prayer will change things and us and place us into the correct perspective. Speaking with others who are children of the faith will help to distinguish the real problem and many times it is something within ourselves such as our history of hurts that causes certain reactions.

A very wise man was asked how he made such good decisions. The man said, by experience.

The person asked the wise man how he got the needed experience to make the good decisions.
The wise man said by making bad decisions.

Personally, I have made enough bad decisions while I was angry. Now, I want to pray, cool down, think before I act, speak with my wife or someone I can trust before I get the wrong idea. Also, I want to forgive and not allow my rage to last through the day.

Anger from hurt can develop and control us for years. Past harms can make us think something is real that is causing us to lash out at others or to go off in our own depressing areas.

The spiritual weapons of faith, love, prayer, forgiveness, and patience are much harder to hold sometimes, but they are much more effective and are better for everyone involved. They also foster the feelings that lead to peace and not violence. They are the best weapons for us in a world of hurt and anxiety; however, the world often does not use these, and that is why we have so many problems with anger in the world today.
Evil seems to be everywhere, but we can stand on the fact that our Father in Heaven and our Messiah can overcome all the evil of this world. We just celebrated our Feast of Trumpets- the day that represents our Messiah’s return to the earth to set up His wonderful Kingdom. Let us look forward to that day, set aside our anger concerning those who want to harm and control us, and have faith that against Divine Elohim, the anger of this world can never win.

May Divine Elohim bless all of you and keep you healthy and safe.

Pastor Nick

“One Day at A Time”

This Pastor’s corner explores faith verses fear- especially concerning the recent rise in COVID cases.

I remember the radio station KWTX news reporting at 6PM on April 27, 2020 that, and I am paraphrasing, ‘church services can expand their capacity’. Social distance with two chairs between members was one of the rules, and I remember that this could all begin May 1, 2020 in Texas.

Therefore, the 7th Day Congregation Church at Eddy started to institute rules as given by Governor Abbott for eating, drinking, and socializing. That was a year and a half ago. Many freedoms returned, but now, the COVID D variant has increased the epidemic again. We know of a small church that possibly all the members contracted this disease with the Pastor being hospitalized. This is serious, and many live within fear of what might happen. Today, during the reading of the prayer list in church, we heard about a teenager dying of COVID. These, as last year, are fearful times.

Future Fears

My wife and I were driving home today from church began to wonder if the church would even be allowed to congregate for the Feast of Tabernacles in September. Also, we do not know who the next victim of this horrible disease will be. Preachers are asking from the pulpit if this is the time of the end. I think along those lines all the time; catastrophe does that to us.

“One Day at a Time”

I can never forget the two times in my life when fear gripped me so hard that I was walking the floor at 2AM and fearing tremendously what daybreak would bring. The first was going to the gulf war known as Iraqi Freedom, and the second was the day when I began my radiation treatments for cancer. This kind of fear brings on feelings that are very now, deep, and real. The Air Force calls it when a pilot is in the dangers of an ariel dogfight- “a sudden dose of reality”. It is not about the pleasures from that future vacation that you might have next year if you can save enough money, but it is about just surviving another day. Crystal Lane’s song “One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus” reflects the feelings of the Vietnam war and how the soldiers survived one day at a time.

We may be heading into that era of “one day at a time”. Fear grips us when we think that we might be the next victim of COVID. We fear the unknown of being cut off from our church. The first time that I put on my chemical suit for real in the gulf war, I felt an aloneness that I had never felt before in my life. Hearing my own breathing through that heavy rubber mask did not help either. In the last COVID outbreak, my wife Lisa and I drove to the church, and while alone, she ran the sound equipment while I preached sermons on line. We may be back to that again soon. Any direction you look at it, the future looks bleak.

What does the Bible say concerning fears?

Isaiah knew fear, yet he knew the power of Yahweh concerning fear. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.

It is very difficult to face a disease and “not be dismayed”, but Yahweh is our strength. He promised His help and that he would uphold us.

But many still get sick, and unfortunately, some die. This is very fearful.

I prayed every day that I was in war and every day that I went into radiation. Finally, the war ended for me, and I was on the most beautiful airplane that I ever saw riding home. When radiation ended, I got to ring that large brass bell in the lobby. In both cases, God and the people around me got me through. I can only wish the best for those who helped me so much to overcome my fears and do what was appropriate.

Faith against fear

Yahweh did not give us the spirit of fear. Satan or ourselves took on that spirit. God gave us power to overcome fear with “love” and “sound minds”:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7.

The shepherd and later king of Israel David wrote: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1

There are many such scriptures that prove God’s eternal love for us and His wanting to protect and watch over us. Yet, we are tested at times to build our character. I have seen the mighty of men crumble and the weak hang on for another day through the grace of God. I think of myself as the latter.

Paul said, “38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39. Paul lived during some very rough times of persecution. Yet, he followed Our Messiah through all things. David said, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

We are His!

It all boils down to this, we are His. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1-3. Of course, Yahweh was speaking to the prophet Isaiah, but He is also speaking to us. We are His, and He protects us and guides us through those things that we fear just like He guided me through war and through radiation for cancer. That “one day at a time thing” really works if that one day is spent in prayer and dependence on Him to get you through.

Conclusion:

The old song, “I am weak, but Thou art strong” says it perfectly. He is our strength and our fortress. Bad things will happen to us, even death, but He is always there to get us through to the other side. That is perfect love, and “He” is that perfect love that casts out all fears. The Apostle John proclaimed, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fear is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. In a few days, we will be into the Fall Feasts of 2021. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, let alone in a few days. But He is there always. Let us remember to always pray and trust in Him. Our Messiah said it best, and I close with these two verses, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34, and Paul declared, “13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13. May God bless all of you and keep you well.

Pastor Nick

Music is written about in the Bible and is usually expressing emotions. Luke 15:25 reports the use of music to express happiness that the prodigal son had returned home: ²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’” In contrast 1 Samuel 16:23, Saul needed music to help relieve his depression: “²³ And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.” There are also many psalms and songs of Solomon; some teaching great thoughts of God and some even teaching prophecy.

Modern music sets our moods. There are some songs that teach about the mercies and wonders of God, and there are others, such as heavy metal, that can literally cause demonic possession. Often our moods and sometimes our problems are due to the music we choose.

There is nothing better in my mind than old hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “Rock of Ages”, and “Abide with Me”. Listening to every word as I sing them in church is a blessing. My mood lightens, and my hope is more secured.

The New Testament church used music during their worship services. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:19: “¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Songs are to be a “melody in your heart”.

Often, we take for granted the music parts of our worship services, but it is so important that we have that divine rhythm and words in our minds and hearts as we begin, continue, and end the service. I thank Divine Elohim for those who lead singing and do special music.

Please come and worship with us during our next Sabbath.

Pastor Nick

Change is as certain as life, and change can be on a scale from wonderful to dreadful. 2020 is becoming a horror in many ways. Now, it is predicted that over 100 thousand people have died from Covid 19. On a lesser note, I drive by businesses, especially restaurants, that are closed due to this horrible virus; they probably will never open again. Other businesses too have been marauded by this disease. We had the greatest economy, and now, we hear news that over 40 million people are now unemployed in the United States.

What does it all mean? Did we not follow Divine Elohim and are now being punished? Or, is this change that seems to just take place? That is a difficult question to answer. Are we transitioning to final judgement from Divine Elohim? Deuteronomy is full of do’s and don’ts concerning the faithfulness of God’s people. Deuteronomy translates to second law. It is a review of what the Israelite children are to remember when they enter the promised land.

Deuteronomy 26:16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore, you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 Today you have proclaimed the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice. 18 Also today the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, 19 and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a [a]holy people to the LORD your God, just as He has spoken.”

As a nation, we are not following God’s laws. But the promise is that we would be a holy people and “set high above other nations.”

However, if we do not follow God’s commandments, we will have His anger against us.

Deuteronomy 29²⁷ Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book. 28 And the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

²⁹ “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

It would be wonderful if our nation went to God’s divine laws. Our curses would become blessings. Is COVID 19 judgement upon us for not following divine laws? That one I cannot specifically answer.

As a nation, bad things are happening to us, and we are not following God’s laws. That relationship seems obvious to me. What should we do?

For our church, the simple answer is to continue spreading the word of God around the world. The internet is both a blessing and a curse, but we use it as a blessing. We are doing the job of the watchman:

Ezekiel 33: 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”

The use of the internet does have expenses as do cameras, sound boards, speakers, microphones, and other such necessary items. Yet, we are able to virtually teach people around the world.

Matthew 24: 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

We are having significant problems in this country, and with the help of the internet, we are preaching the gospel around the world. We are doing a specific duty. We are a witness and a warning.

Will the United States go to God and begin to follow His laws? More than likely, we will not as a nation. However, a few watch people will continue to send out the truth. It is so important that we keep that light going.

Matthew 5: 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We may be transitioning toward final judgement as a nation due to not following God’s laws, but we are to send out the light of truth to everyone who will listen. Therefore, the expense of internet and equipment is a small price to pay if only one person listens and turns to God.

See you in church.
Pastor Nick