The Christian’s Response to Transgender Claims
I. Introduction
● The media and social media is permeated with stories about transgendered people
● We are bombarded with transgender claims
● We are told that if we do not believe the claims of those who champion the transgender cause, we are “transphobic”
● How as a Christian should you respond to those who challenge you regarding the transgender movement?
II. Facts about transgender
● The dictionary defines the term “transgender” as:
○ Noting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s biological sex assigned at birth.
○ Noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.
● The medical term for transgender is gender dysphoria
○ The definition of that term is
■ Marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months’ duration.”
○ The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition, of the American Psychiatric Association estimates that:
■ 0.005% to 0.014% of people born male and 0.002% to 0.003% of people born female are diagnosable with gender dysphoria.
● That means 5-14 out of every 1,000 males, and
● 2-3 out of every 1,000 females
■ Do the math: Male: 14, 616; Female: 5,025
● According to study data released by the CDC in June 2022, 1.6 million people in the US identify as transgender
○ 20% of those claiming to be transgendered are between 13 and 17 years old
● 41% of people who claim to be transgendered attempt suicide.
○ In 2020, 4/10 of one percent (.004) of the population of the US attempted suicide
■ 1,200,000 attempted suicide out of a population of 329,500,000
● Quotes from people claiming to be transgendered:
○ There’s a gender in your brain and a gender in your body. For 99% of people, those things are in alignment. For transgender people, they’re mismatched. That’s all it is. It’s not complicated, it’s not neurosis. It’s a mix-up. It’s a birth defect, like a cleft palate. - Chaz Bono (formerly Chastity Bono)
○ We’re human beings, and this is a human life. This is reality for us, and all we ask for is acceptance and validation for what we say we are. It’s a basic human right. - Andreja Pejic, transgender model
● In addition to male and female, transgender advocates claim there are now at least 72 other “gender identities” that a person can have.
○ Here are some examples of alleged gender identities:
○ Adamas gender: A gender that is indefinable or indomitable. People identifying with this gender refuse to be categorized in any particular gender identity.
○ Alexigender: The person has a fluid gender identity between more than one type of gender although they cannot name the genders they feel fluid in.
○ Amaregender: Having a gender identity that changes depending on the person one is emotionally attached to.
○ Caelgender: This gender identity shares the qualities or aesthetics of outer space.
○ Cisgender: Being closely related to the gender assigned at birth during the entire life.
○ Condigender: The person feels their gender only under specific circumstances.
○ Genderfluid: The person does not consistently adhere to one fixed gender and may have many genders.
● When children who reported transgender feelings were tracked without medical or surgical treatment at both Vanderbilt University and London’s Portman Clinic, 70-80% of them spontaneously lost those feeling during their adolescence.
● Children that report feeling transgendered are being given drugs that block puberty followed by a life long course of cross-sex hormones.
● The American College of Pediatricians has issued a statement about this practice which says:
○ “We live at a time in which social agendas often bias the results of research and lead to the development of false medical standards. Those who honorably speak out against this are chastised. Young children are being permanently sterilized and surgically maimed under the guise of treating a condition that would otherwise resolve in over 80% of them. This is criminal.”
● There is not one study that I could find that concludes that gender dysphoria, or transgender, has a biological or genetic cause.
III. We are called to discern good from evil
● Why not just ignore these claims and move on with our lives?
● The Bible tells us that as Christians, we are commanded to discern good from evil:
● The Apostle John tells us:
○ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
● Paul says in Ephesians 5:6-10 that
○ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. - Ephesians 5:6-10
● Again in Romans Paul tells us
○ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2
● but test everything; hold fast what is good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
● See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. - Colossians 2:8
● And finally:
○ Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. - Philippians 3:2
III. Why even respond to transgender claims
● As Christians, we must always be prepared to make a defense of our faith.
● As Peter tells us
○ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect - 1 Peter 3:15
● Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3
● Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. - Ephesians 5:11
● In fact, we should constantly practice our discernment skills, as it says in the book of Hebrews:
○ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:14
IV. The nature of our response to transgender claims
● When I hear all of the transgender nonsense being rammed down our throat, it sometimes makes me want to respond in anger, to lash out.
● But, we are not called to respond in anger
○ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger - Ephesians 4:26
● We are commanded to respond with a spirit of gentleness
○ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. - Galatians 6:1
● We are to speak the truth in love:
○ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, - Ephesians 4:15
● We are to be kind to everyone, avoiding quarreling if possible:
○ And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, - 2 Timothy 2:24
● We have to remember that we are not just talking about issues here.
○ We are talking about people - individuals who are precious to God and made in His image
V. What the Bible says about transgender
● Many transgendered people and their supporters say that they are transgendered because God created them that way.
● Even a cursory reading of the Bible reveals that is not true.
● Consider these verses:
○ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27
○ He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, - Matthew 19:4
○ A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. - Deuteronomy 22:5
○ For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, - 1 Corinthians 14:33
● The Bible unequivocally states that God created us biologically male and female
● And Once God was done creating men and women, he was pleased
○ And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31
● After God created Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden, God realized that it was not good for Adam to be alone.
○ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” - Genesis 2:18
● So God created livestock, birds, and beasts of the field, but none of these were a fit helper for Adam.
● So God created woman and brought her to Adam
○ And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. - Genesis 2:22
● Note that Adam’s pronoun was “he” and Eve’s pronoun was “she”
● And Adam was pretty psyched
○ Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” - Genesis 2:23
● Then the Bible announces what God’s plan is for men and women
○ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. - Genesis 2:24
● The Bible also tells us that God gave instruction to husband and wife:
○ And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28
● God gave the command to be fruitful and multiply multiple times in the Bible:
○ And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. - Genesis 9:1
○ And God said to him (Jacob), “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. - Genesis 35:11
● By taking hormones and surgically altering your body, it makes it almost impossible to be fruitful and multiply.
● God created the marriage relationship between a man and a woman to give us an earthly image of the relationship between Christ and his Church.
○ “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:31-32
● By men pretending to be women and women pretending to be men, or even worse taking hormones and getting surgery to try to convert themselves, they are perverting what God set up to be an illustration to us of Christ’s relationship with His Church.
VI. Conclusion
● God commands us to discern right from wrong, false doctrine from the truth of His Word
● As Christians, we are to look at the world through the lens of God’s Word
● God’s Word is very clear that he created two genders, two sexes - male and female
● The Bible clearly illustrates that men are men and women are women
● Anything else is a perversion of the truth
● Although the transgender movement is spreading lies, our response must be full of God’s truth and wisdom.
● We cannot respond in anger. We must respond with love.
● Our goal must be to bring those that claim to be transgendered and their allies back to God and the truth.
● Remember, God does not want one to perish.
○ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
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IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE: The COVID-19 Vaccines Are Killing People!
Warning of dangers of clot shot
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God’s Will For You Rejoice Always
God’s Will For You
Rejoice Always
INTRODUCTION
1. What is God’s will for you...?
a. Of course, if you are not saved, the answer is rather obvious
b. But if you are saved, what is God’s will for you in your life?
c. If someone walked up to you and asked, “What is God’s will for your life?” – what would your answer be?
d. How do you figure out what God’s will for you is?
e. There are books written by men on it.
• John MacArthur wrote a book called “Found: God’s Will”
• In it he says that God’s will for all of our lives is for us to be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive and suffering.
• He concludes that if you are doing all five things, God is running your will, so you are living out God’s will for your life.
f. But, there’s another book that tells us what God’s will is for our life.
g. The Bible!
2. Sometimes the Scriptures are quite clear, as in passages like...
a. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Th. 5:16-18
b. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality 1Th. 4:3
c. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1Pe. 2:15
Such passages do not exhaust what is God’s will for us. But in many places, the Bible clearly states the will of God for you.
I. GOD WANTS YOU TO REJOICE ALWAYS
The word rejoice occurs 154 times in the ESV bible.
Rejoice is a verb that means to feel or show great joy or delight
A. REJOICE IN LIFE...
1. To rejoice in your youth –
a. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. – Ecc. 11:9
2. To rejoice in your work –
a. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, Ecc. 2:24
b. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. Ecc. 3:12-13
c. So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? Ecc. 3:22
d. Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. Ecc. 5:18-19
3. To rejoice in life and wife –
a. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Ecc. 9:9
b. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Ecc. 11:8
4. To rejoice in the things God has given us
a. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. - 1Tim. 6:17
5. In addition to rejoicing at the good things of life, we are also to rejoice in our suffering
a. We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance… - Rom. 5:3
B. REJOICE IN SALVATION...
1. To rejoice in knowing that you are saved
a. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. - Luke 10:20
b. Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. – Ps. 35:9
2. To rejoice in your pursuit of God
a. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! – 1 Chron. 16:10
3. Rejoice in God’s love
a. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul – Ps. 31:7
4. To rejoice in the hope that our salvation provides
a. Through him we have also obtained access by faith[a] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – Rom. 5:2
It is clearly the will of God that you rejoice always! Now let’s consider why...
II. YOU NEED TO REJOICE ALWAYS
A. FOR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH...
1. Anxiety weighs one down
a. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Pr. 12:25
2. A glad heart raises the spirit
a. A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed… All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. – Pr. 15:13,15
3. A joyful heart is like good medicine
a. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Pr. 17:22
B. FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH...
1. In the joy of the Lord there is great strength
a. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Neh. 8:10
2. When we have joy in what we believe, we abound in hope
a. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Rom. 15:13
3. When we are joyful, it helps those around us to be joyful.
a. - 2 Cor. 2:3
Our Creator understands the importance of a joyful spirit for both body and soul. Since He wants you to rejoice always, here are a few thoughts on...
III. HOW YOU CAN REJOICE ALWAYS
A. IN THE LORD...
1. It is in the Lord that one finds the ability to “rejoice always”
a. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. – Php. 4:4
b. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Php. 4:13
2. His salvation is the source of much joy.
a. O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! - Ps. 21:1
3. He grants joy to those who please Him
a. For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God... – Ecc. 2:26
b. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. – Ecc. 5:20
4. His mercy is a source of great joy.
a. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, - Ps. 31:7
B. SOME IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS...
1. Read and meditate upon the Word of God daily
a. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers - Ps 1:1-3
b. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. – Jer. 15:16
2. Meditate upon the teachings of Christ and His apostles
a. Jesus spoke that His disciples joy might be full
• These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – Jn. 15:11
b. The apostles wrote that our joy might be full
• And we are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete. - 1Jn. 1:4
3. Sing praises of joy to God
a. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. – Ps. 9:2
b. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. - Ps 71:23
c. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. – Ps. 104:33-34
d. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! - Ps. 135:3
4. Spend time with brethren who make us happy
a. As Titus’ joy encouraged Paul
• And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. - 2Co 7:13
b. As Philemon’s love and joy refreshed the hearts of others and gave Paul joy
• For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. - Phm 1:7
CONCLUSION
1. So what is the will of God for you...?
a. Rejoice always!
b. Rejoice in the Lord always!
c. Rejoice in the blessings He has given you!
d. Rejoice in both the physical and spiritual blessings of life!
2. This does not mean we will never suffer hardship, but we can rejoice in the Lord always, even in the hard times.
And so, let us be diligent to do the will of God: Rejoice always...!
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
—Hebrews 13:20–21
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Forced Coercion by NYPD Police Commissioner
“We’re at the end of the wire here. It is now Wednesday morning. By Friday you’re supposed to be vaccinated,” Shea says, going on to admit he doesn’t have all the answers.
Shea notes officers vaccinated by Friday’s deadline could still be eligible to receive a $500 bonus incentive.
Officers who don’t get vaccinated by Friday were told to still come to work if scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, however, they’re told they won’t receive a paycheck.
“So, what if you haven’t been vaccinated by Friday? Come to work Saturday, Sunday if you are scheduled to work,” Shea says. “On Monday when this thing really starts being enforced, we’re going to check your vaccination status and if you’re not vaccinated, no pay, and you’re gonna be not able to work.”
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Fear of the Lord
Island Fellowship Church
Message
Sunday, October 24, 2021
INTRODUCTION
1. I often stop and think about how awesome, how powerful and how amazing God is.
2. The Bible gives us some idea of how awesome and powerful God is.
a. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. – Gen. 3:1
b. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. – Psalm 147:4-5
c. He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it his cloud. He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke. By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab. By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand? – Job 26:7-14
d. When Jesus had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” – John 11:43-44
3. The early church understood the fear of the Lord and benefitted from it.
a. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:31
4. In writing to the church at Philippi, Paul told them:
a. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" Phil. 2:12
5. Jesus himself emphasized the awesome power of God the Father
a. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Mat. 10:28
DEFINING THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
A. THE WORD "FEAR"...
1. In the Hebrew, the word is "Yare’" (yaw-ray) and is used in the Old Testament to describe:
a. fear, terror
b. awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
2. The Greek word is "PHOBEO", and it is used to describe:
a. fear, dread, terror
b. that which strikes terror
B. IN CONNECTION WITH THE "FEAR OF THE LORD", IT IS OFTEN DEFINED AS "REVERENCE" OR "AWE"...
1. Which is fine as far as it goes...
2. But I wonder if this definition truly goes far enough...
3. For though the terms "reverence" and "awe" imply a place for "trembling", do most people make the connection?
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
A. FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, WE LEARN...
1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Prov. 1:7
2. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. – Prov. 8:13
3. The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. – Prov. 10:27
4. In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. – Prov. 14:26-27
5. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. – Prov. 16:6
6. The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. – Prov. 19:23
7. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. – Prov. 22:4
B. WITHOUT THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"...
1. Without the fear of the Lord, we cannot please God
a. Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. – Isaiah 66:1-2
b. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him… - Psalm 103:17
III. DEVELOPING THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
A. THE "FEAR OF THE LORD" COMES THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD!
1. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17
a. The same can be said for the "fear of the Lord"!
b. The more we read and internalize God’s Word, the more we will learn to fear Him.
2. In Deut 31:10-13, the nation of Israel was told to gather every seven years to read and hear the Word...
3. And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” – Deut 10:10-13
4. The purpose? "...that they may learn to fear the Lord"!
5. As you read and study the Word of God, you should gain a healthy degree of the "fear of the Lord"
a. Remember what Peter said in his second epistle
I. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. – 2 Peter 3:7-14
CONCLUSION
1. The Psalmist said...
1. For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings[a] is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? - Psalm 89:6-7
2. So, while we should fear God, we also should remember that while he is awesome and powerful, he is also a God of mercy and grace.
3. Remember what the prophet Micah said:
1. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. – Micah 7:18
4. And the words from the Gospel of John that we know so well:
1. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
5. So, while we serve an awesome and powerful God whom we should greatly fear, he is also our Father who shows us mercy and loves us beyond anything we can comprehend.
Benediction:
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.—Jude 24–25
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Medical Bombshell: Pfizer Vax Attacks Human Blood Creating Clots Under Microscope
Highly respected medical doctor and inventor, Richard Fleming, has released a 32-minute detailed presentation documenting his shocking findings.
In late 2020, before the Pfizer shot had even been rolled out, top scientists and experts around the world warned the Pfizer and Moderna shots posed an extreme risk of causing blood clots, myocarditis and other cardiovascular problems.
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“The just shall live by trust." Galatians 3:11
FAITH- trust, belief, confidence, conviction, reliance, dependence, expectation, and hopefulness.
Heb 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ESV
NKJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
2 Cor 5:7 “We live by faith not by sight.”
But faith in what?
The good news that salvation is available to all through His only begotten Son. Hence no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus, the undeserving love He has for His children which are those who put their trust in Christ. Salvation from what we deserve. Redemption from the curse of the law. Trust in His Word to guide us, feed us, discipline us, encourage us, equip us,
protect us, ..... His promises for us His church, and on who He says we are. A royal priesthood, humble servants, and adopted children. Our faith is that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do.
Because without faith, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to please Him Heb11:6
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isa 55:11
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. phil 1:6
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Rom 10:17
**Luke 17:5 the apostles had told Christ “Increase our faith” Mustard seed
Luke 7 Centurion’s servant
After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I
am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Luke 18:1-8
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her
continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:22-25
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8
*Word of faith movement briefly*
James 4:3 you ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
One of our most profound examples of faith:
Genesis 15:1-6
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give
me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Hab 2:4
Prov 3:1-12
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
My son, do not despise the LORD'S discipline or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:1-6
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.Rom 12:1-8
Galatians 2:15,16
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Gal 3:5-14
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things
written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Gal 3:23-29
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are
all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
To whom much is given, much is required lk 12:48 measure of faith to each according to the Lords’ purposes.... stay in the word which is our spiritual food...
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Covidland. Part 1. THE UNSCIENTIFIC LOCKDOWN !!
The latest release from Infowars is finally here! ‘COVIDLAND’ is a riveting and fast-paced movie made by award-winning filmmaker Paul Wittenberger and narrated by Alex Jones that’s designed to break people out of their trance, see the big picture, and take our world back!
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Unless the Lord builds the house...
Genesis 11:1-9
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Psalm 127: 1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Matthew 20:26-28
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[b] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Psalms 78:72
With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand.
Titus 1:7-9
For an overseer,[a] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[b]doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Timothy 1:3
1-7 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.
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THE NAMES OF GOD
THE NAMES OF GOD
The Burning Bush
3 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
The Throne in Heaven
4 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings[a] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
• EL ELYON (THE LORD MOST HIGH)
Genesis 14:18-20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor[a] of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Psalm 57:2
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
• EL SHADDAI (THE LORD ALMIGHTY)
Genesis 17:1
17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;[a] walk before me, and be blameless,
• JEHOVAH RAAH (THE LORD MY SHEPHERD)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the LORD
forever.[g]
• JEHOVAH RAPHA (THE LORD THAT HEALS)
Exodus 15:26
26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”
• JEHOVAH SHAMMAH (THE LORD IS THERE)
Ezekiel 48:35
35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”
• JEHOVAH TSIDKENU (THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Jeremiah 23:6
6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
Jeremiah 33:16
16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
• JEHOVAH MEKODDISHKEM (THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES YOU)
Exodus 31:13
13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.
Leviticus 20:8
8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you
• JEHOVAH JIREH (THE LORD WILL PROVIDE)
Genesis 22:14
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”;[a] as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”[b]
• JEHOVAH SHALOM (THE LORD IS PEACE)
Judges 6:24
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites
• JEHOVAH SABAOTH (THE LORD OF HOSTS)
Psalm 24:9
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Psalm 84:3
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
Isaiah 6:5
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!
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EXAMINE YOURSELF September 19th 2021
EXAMINE YOURSELF
The Command
Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts![a]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting![b]
Psalm 26:2
2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.[a
Psalm 44:20-21
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
1 Corinthians 11:28
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
The Response
Job 13:23
.How many are my iniquities and my sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin.
Proverbs 16:6
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
1 Corinthians 11:31
But if we judged[a] ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
Action and Obedience
Psalm 4:4
Be angry,[a] and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
Lamentations 3:40
Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the LORD!
Ezekiel 18:21
“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Isaiah 55:7
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
John 14:23
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control,[a] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
James 1:23-25
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Psalm 119:59
When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
Romans 8:10
But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Examine your Faith
• What do you believe? Do you believe Gods word is absolute truth?
• Is there salvation in what you believe?
• Are you being misled by a false teacher?
• We can all learn God's word in the scripture, we can also determine the truth from scripture with help from the Holy Spirit
Jeremiah 31:33
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Isaiah 59:21
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
Hebrews 10:16
“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
Examine yourself for repentance
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.[a]
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Not a NOVEL VIRUS, NOT NEW !! . 73 Patents !!! It's a Bioweapon!!
Top Equities Investor: There is no DELTA variant... not novel... no pandemic. Dr David Martin
HARMFUL SPIKE PROTEIN !!!
"A Message From the Gay Community Performed by the San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus"
This video was posted by the San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus on July 1, 2021 and then DELETED today, July 7th.
IFC Christmas Play 2020
Christmas play Island Fellowship Church St Thomas US Virgin Islands 2020.
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