Summer greetings! Grab a glass of iced tea or a cup of coffee, depending on the time of day, and let’s share a few minutes together.
First, the Word for today
“There are lords many and gods many, but to us there is one God” (I Corinthians 8:5 NLT).
Several false religions developed a trinity of sorts as their ultimate deities:
Hinduism has Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
The Egyptians honor Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
The Greeks had Zeus, Apollo, Athena.
The Babylonians had Semiramus, Nimrod, and Tammuz.
Post-Apostolic Christians developed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Hell’s trinity, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, keeps idolatry alive today.
Apostolics still say with Paul, “but to us there is one God.”
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It was time
The Supreme Court of 1972-73 yielded to pressure from the politically correct left. It took 50 years, but that fact finally came to light and caught up with them. Abortion on demand for any reason at any stage of pregnancy is not and has never been “a constitutional right.”
As Justice Samuel Alito explained in the recent majority opinion of the Supreme Court, “Roe v. Wade was an error…egregiously wrong and on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided…failing to ground its decision in text, history and precedent, without which it imposed on the entire country a detailed set of rules like…in a statute or regulation.” In other words, they basically legislated from the bench. Alito continued, “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and [Planned Parenthood v.] Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”
The 1972 decision had been a tip of the hat from a liberal court to the abortion industry. The decision was based on political expedience and a surrender to popular voices in politics and the entertainment industry. “My body, my choice,” became the litany of leftist women on America’s streets. But there is more than one body involved here.
There are conjoined twins who are born attached at the hip or some other place on their bodies. Perhaps the most famous of such twins, Eng and Chang Bunker, were joined at their abdomen at a place the size of a baseball. Did Eng have the right to mutilate Chang simply because they were not yet separated from each other by surgery?[1] A fetus, a baby in the womb, is not a natural or original extension of the “mother’s body.” It is another person. It has a life of its own, although dependent on the mother’s body to nourish and house it for a time. Just because the cord is not yet cut, there is no legal “right” to take that human life “for any reason.” And we must never forget that a third person, even if anonymous, is also involved in the pregnancy.
In part, what the far left pundits and weird women of Washington DC are screaming about is that they have been exposed. Their real motives are laid bare. Many merely want to have certain ungodly privileges without consequences. But all actions have reactions; all sins have consequences. Our nation passed laws against aborting babies that stood for generations until Roe v. Wade shamelessly gutted them. More than 60 million babies have been slaughtered since 1972. The woman who oversaw millions of them as a Director of Planned Parenthood has renounced her role and has apologized to the nation for the cruelty which that agency, supported by our tax dollars, has heaped upon the unborn for the last 50 years. If the average person knew what transpires in abortion clinics, they would never vote for funding the abortion industry.[2]
Roe v. Wade had no real moral or ethical justification. It was part of a feminist takeover of America that opened the door to embrace homosexuality and transgenderism in our culture. When the distinctions God built into the two genders of human beings are set aside as non-existent or irrelevant, confusion and multiple problems ensue. After the feminist movement helped American women feel loosed from the bonds of biblical and traditional guidelines, they turned both religion and politics inside out. The evidence of this makeover and takeover surrounds us. Without male headship, the old serpent and “emancipated” womanhood are again on a track to subvert God’s plan for mankind.
“When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the righteous will live to see their downfall” (Proverbs 29:16 NLT). God does not hate sinners, but He despises “the hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17). The prophet Isaiah added this: “Their feet run to
The Roberts Court, April 23, 2021
Seated from left to right: Justices Samuel A. Alito, Jr. and Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Stephen G. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor
Standing from left to right: Justices Brett M. Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Photograph by Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths” (Isaiah 59:7 NKJV). That is an apt description of the activity in PP clinics.
Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Director who now opposes that organization, says, “You can’t even conceive of the barbarity” of abortions done in PP facilities. Christians can take no other stand on this issue except in vocal and political opposition to its barbarism. The most avid pro-abortionists, quite predictably, to the extreme with their demands, even to after birth execution of the newborn. And to think of putting those body parts out in the marketplace for buyers is beyond the pale. Equally inconceivable is the nomenclature of their sordid industry—”women’s healthcare.”
Some cry, “But what about this or that special situation?” Laws, standard operating procedures and governing policies should not be established for any organization or entity, secular or religious, based solely on a couple of seeming “exceptions” or highly unusual possibilities. The justices knew that. They handed the matter back where it should have been all along—to the states—where decisions are made by legislatures closest to the people of this democratic republic. Those who want an abortion for any reason at any time can still find it legally available in a few blue states. Radicals are not justified in the rioting and destruction now occurring in the streets of our nation against courts, pro-life clinics, and churches. Such a reaction to legal decisions is reserved for the most backward of nations. Long live America!
Thank you, Supreme Court justices.
[1] Eng and Chang Bunker were never separated surgically. They sought opinions on surgical separation because they feared what would happen if one of them died. Chang Bunker died on January 17, 1874, from a cerebral blood clot. His brother Eng Bunker died three hours later.
[2] As the instructor of a Pastoral Theology course in a college classroom, I once showed a film about abortions. During the showing, I heard a loud “thump” in the darkened room. I quickly turned on the lights to find one of the students on the floor, passed smooth out from the sight of gore depicted in abortion procedures. PS: We were able to revive him and he was fine, except for some unpleasant lingering memories of what he had witnessed.
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In search of common sense
Do any of our readers desire more common sense? Doubtless, we all could use more of that valuable commodity. What a great advantage it gives one, especially in his or her service for the Lord Jesus. We should all apply ourselves to develop fundamental understanding and sensitivities. In my search, I ran across the following discussion of common sense:
In the words of Yoritomo-Tashi, “Common sense is a composite product consisting of 1) Perception; 2) Memory; 3) Thought; 4) Alertness; 5) Deduction; 6) Foresight; 7) Reason; and 8) Judgment. Indispensable in the development of common sense includes the ability to grasp situations, ability to concentrate the mind, keenness of perception, reasoning power, calmness, and self-control. …Enthusiasm is as brittle as crystal, but common sense is durable as brass.” (Common Sense: How to exercise it (New York: Funk and Wagnalls Company, 1915), iii,v.
Common sense should flow out from the person who possesses those qualities. The publishers of the above out-of-print tome added this: “The desire for knowledge, like the thirst for wealth, increases by acquisition, but as Bishop Law has told us, ‘Knowledge without common sense is folly; without method it is waste; without kindness it is fanaticism; without religion it is death.’ But Dean Farrar added: ‘[Knowledge] with common sense is wisdom; with method it is power; with charity it is beneficence; with religion it is virtue, life and peace.'” (p. v)
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God’s Word is filled with truth and common sense
Here are some modern common sense observations that support ancient truths from God’s Word:
A person may have a clear conscience because his head is empty.
“My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide: (I Corinthians 4:4).
Gold is the fool’s curtain which hides all his defects and insecurities from the world.
“The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety” (Proverbs 18:11).
A wise man sometimes changes his mind, but a fool never does.
“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Proverbs 12:15).
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
“Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (I Timothy 4:12).
Most of man’s troubles come from his inability to be still.
“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).
Once the game is over, both the king and the pawn go back into the same box.
“Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind” (Psalm 49:10).
The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground.
“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life” (Proverbs 11:30).
The best cure for crime is not the electric chair, but the high chair.
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its students.
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
Whatever you dislike in another person, take care to correct it in yourself.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matthew 7:3).
Add patience to your righteousness and you will outlive the ungodly.
“When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall” (Proverbs 19:16 NLT).
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.
“How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting” (Psalm 133:1-3).
-Observations source: God’s Little Instruction Book, Tulsa: Honor Books, 1997.
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Five Reasons to Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus
- Jesus said baptism, being the birth of the water, would be involved in the entrance into God’s kingdom (John 3:3-5). No baptism, no entrance. Jesus further told His followers to baptize believers specifically in the name of the Lord (Luke 24:47; Matthew 28:19). They subsequently obeyed Him in the recorded instances where the saving message of the kingdom of God was preached (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:44-48; 19:1-5; 22:16).
- The apostles commanded it and practiced it as they converted Jews and pagans to faith in Jesus as the Messiah/Savior (Peter in Acts 2:38; 10:44-48; Philip in Acts 8:12-16; Paul in Acts 19:1-5.) Such a command would not have been issued for some unimportant, non-essential rite with little meaning to the new believers (Mark 16:16).
- It is a major part of the means by which the blood of Christ is applied to wash away one’s sins (Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:14,19,22; Titus 3:5; Revelation 1:5). The English equivalent for baptize/baptism is “immersion” or “washing,” used in Wycliffe’s Bible translation, the first English version.
The name Jesus, the English rendering of the Hebrew Yeshua, bearing the same meaning as Yahweh (God’s name forever), meaning “God saves/is Savior” (Exodus 3:13-15), is attached to us in the act of baptism. That is how “baptism doth also now save us” (I Peter 3:21). The virtue is not in the water but in the name appropriated through obedience: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; 3:16; 10:43).- In taking the name of Jesus in water baptism, we become espoused to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-33). As the Bride of Christ, the church will someday be with her divine Husband in celebration and joy throughout eternity (Revelation 18:23; 19:9; 21:2,9; 22:17).
Therefore, without baptism one is not yet a part of the kingdom of God, he is not in full obedience to the commands of Jesus and the apostles, the blood has not been applied to wash away his sins, the saving name of Jesus has not been attached to him, and he is not espoused to Christ as His spiritual bride. One has not “put on Christ” if he has not been baptized (Galatians 3:27). These facts should not be classified merely as “our beliefs…our tradition…our denomination’s doctrine.” It is clearly Bible truth. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
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Regarding the gospel and living the Christian life, how important is obedience?
“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment” (John 3:36 NLT).
“We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32 NLT).
“If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT)
“But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29 NLT).
“People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed” (Proverbs 13:13 NLT).
“If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth” (I John 2:4 NLT).
“Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us” (I John 3:24 NLT).
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One world government is not a conspiracy theory!
Jesse Watters of FOX News shows clips of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and interviews Rand Paul. They conclude that the “elites” want a one world government. It is no longer a conspiracy theory to these men. Now we all know.
Rand Paul: ‘Elitists Want A One World Government; It’s Not A Conspiracy Theory’ – NewsWars
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Disney corruption
Mickey and Minnie have degenerated into liberal activists since I was a child and reading their comics. Now they have given new meaning to the Looney Tunes cartoon series. They intend to convince your kids that they should be proud if they are gay or transgender, but ashamed if they don’t support those ideologies. The Disney Theme Park in Orlando is well named: the Magic Kingdom. Their theme is to magically change the culture in the U.S., politicize our kids, confuse children’s minds as to who can actually give birth, and glorify the filth that they don’t try to hide 
anymore. Their wicked plan is now all out in the open and there is hardly an excuse for Apostolic families to finance that plan by visiting the Magic Kingdom [of Evil] to expose their children to that garbage while at General Conference in October. “If the wicked are ruling the nation, sin will be everywhere, but those who live right will win in the end” (Proverbs 29:16 ERV).
I highly recommend that pastors and parents read “Laying Siege to the Institutions” by Christopher Rufo in the April/May issue of Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College. The author carefully and accurately reminds us of Disney’s agenda and how Christians can respond in a meaningful way. You can read the article at https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/laying-siege-to-the-institutions/
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Dems blame guns instead of the shooters
How can anyone not understand why these shootings occur? Do they happen because a healthy-minded person happens to see a gun, picks it up and begins firing randomly? Of course not. Warped minds plan such attacks. The Uvalde killer got into his mind that he should kill children (for reasons of his own) and then figured out how it could be done.
What is warping their minds?
Ever see what kids have access to on their Gameboys today? Or what flows out from Netflix or Hulu (if the ads are examples)? Mind warping with constant themes and scenes of murder and mayhem is appaently the consistent menu. A death culture. Hate. Bitterness. Slaughter. The glorification of strange minds, strange sex, and a strange ethos that harks back to the shameless rages of Roman emperors or Mongol raiders of other times. “Crime increases when crooks are in power, but law-abiding citizens will see them fall” (Proverbs 29:16 CEV).
The liberals blame cops when criminals get shot, but blame the guns when a mentally deranged individual kills children with a gun.
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Books
Biblical Christology: Jesus the Christ
by J. R. Ensey
No study is comparable to the inquiry into the nature of the Godhead. One must know His identity to fully know Jesus. Those who have questions about the Person and work of our Lord will find this volume helpful to their study. Christ is presented as the Incarnate God, the indwelling Spirit, and the Coming King. Includes the text of the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. This is the text of a paper delivered at a UPCI Theological Forum.
AM Price $3.95
A Hill To Die On
by J. R. Ensey
Is truth worth dying for? If so, which truth? Which doctrine? This book suggests that there are some things worth risking our reputations, our resources, and perhaps our lives for. Six months ago we would never have thought we would be where we are today as a nation. The Christian faith is rapidly being dismembered and deconstructed to make way for socialism and/or other religions. The rush of endtime prophecy fulfillment should stiffen the backbone of every Christian and make us realize there will be a price to pay for our faith. The nine chapters include:
– A Hill To Die On
– Truth in an Age of Deception
– Unity in an Age of Division
– Righteousness in an Age of Hedonism
– The Church in an Age of Spirituality
– Absolutes in an Age of Relativism
– God and Government
– Is American Christianity Returning to the Social Gospel?
– Our Finest Hour
AM Price $12.95
Pastoral Epistles
by J. R. Ensey
The apostle Paul wrote three letters to two younger ministers he affectionately called his “sons.” The epistles became part of the canon of Scripture and have served since then as the best instruction available for those in ministry and lay leadership. Doctrine, practical church discipline, lifestyle and much more is all here. The verse-by-verse commentary is accompanied by a complete outline for ease of study and teaching.
AM Price $13.95
To order go to advanceministries.org/store
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Eye candy for truth lovers
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Last Words
Think about it…the kids who are being home schooled are missing out on a good chance of becoming gay communists.
Keep in mind that believing lies is a serious matter: “So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:11,12).
Keep the faith.
JREnsey
JREnsey Blog 
Very good Bro. Ensey! Thank you.