Thanks for visiting our November 2023 blog!
The Word for today
“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15 NLT).
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Are we ready?
Will the waves of the widening war in the Middle East reach the shores of America? Already the white foam of promise is breaking at our feet. 
Threats could could become actions. Christians have a target on their backs. We could taste of the kind of persecution Christians and Jews on the other side of the world have known for years. When it comes, we will fight it with the sword of truth and the battle garments of Ephesians 6. With those, we cannot lose, whatever happens. Stephen, Paul, and Peter were not losers but winners—winning over hate. The testimony of the new Speaker of the House of Representative has invited slurs like “extremist.” Christianity could become a political enemy in the eyes of some, not just another religion. That might be sought as a “cover” for their angry actions. Tough times will produce tough decisions on how we respond to future challenges.
We don’t look forward to the pain, the potential loss of family and friends, the inconveniences that accompany hatred aimed at innocents, yet must we Americans insist on safety and pleasant years when others—beginning with Stephen in Acts 7—have given their lives standing for Christian truth and values.
I am reminded of the words of Amy Carmichael:
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?
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Why…?
- Why when Israel’s enemies attack them with the stated intent of wiping them from the face of the earth, it is billed as “self-defense,” but if Israel fights back it is called “genocide” and “aggression”?
- During the last 40 years I have only had the flu once. Guess what happened in the only year I decided to accept a flu vaccine? How did you know? My doctor assures me there is no association between the two.
- It the Covid vaccine is free because it is “life-saving,” why isn’t insulin free, or chemo, or Epipens? – PatriotPost
- Why is it if we lie to the government, it’s a felony, but if they lie to us, it’s just politics? (WH Press Secretary: “This president has been so zeroed in, so laser-focused, on lowering costs for Americans—and we’ve done that…[and] the border is secure.”) – PP
- Why continue to hang on to an English Bible translation from the late middle ages and the early Renaissance period, with words and syntax that frustrate the understanding of millions of today’s Bible readers?
- Why do so many folks who visit our churches are just looking for one that preaches what they believe?
- Why are the LGBTQ+ folks joining the protestors favoring the Muslims? Perhaps they should visit one of those countries…and be sure to wear their nicest rainbow shirt.
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Book recommendation
Need a lift? Sometimes a true life story of someone who, against all odds, won a battle that would have destroyed a lesser person will provide the inspiration to win your own contest in life. I have a great suggestion for you. It’s the new book called Coffee With Anthony.
Anthony Trimble was a 29-year old husband, father, recording artist, and pastor when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2015. On July 29, 2021 he won the battle and crossed the finish line to his reward. Cancer didn’t conquer him, he conquered cancer. He never let it control his life. It took his body but not his soul. He remained the man his closest friends wanted most to emulate. He won in so many ways that those who knew him best, who had coffee with him on a regular basis during those six tough years, wanted to celebrate his life and ultimate victory by sharing their memories of him with you.
The book containing his story will doubtless create other winners who are battling life’s challenges. Let Anthony’s friends share with you the secrets and insights they gleaned when having a cup of coffee with this outstanding young hero. It’s a rare insight that will steel your own soul to be the person God wants you to be in spite of the vicissitudes of life.
Compiled by Michael Ensey and written by various authors, contemporaries you probably know well. Here’s how to order your copy of the first printing:
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12 years ago
Just as those who graduated in May 2023 and entered college in September, were sitting in first grade classes twelve years ago, I posted the following prophecy.
The Radical Homosexuals…
…who are infiltrating the United States Congress have a plan:
Indoctrinate an entire generation of American children with propaganda and eliminate traditional values from American society.
Their ultimate dream is to create a new America based on sexual promiscuity in which the values you and I cherish are long forgotten.
I hate to admit it, but if they pass the deceptively named “Student Non-Discrimination Act,” (H.R. 998 & S. 555) that’s exactly what they’ll do.
Better named the “Homosexual Classrooms Act,” its chief advocate in Congress is Rep. Jared Polis, himself an open homosexual and radical activist.
And it’s dangerously close to becoming the law of the land. [End of former post.]
And it came to pass…. Look what yesterdays first graders are having to see and learn as Freshmen in colleges today.
Now our schools are glorifying the homosexual lifestyle and transgenderism. They invite weird drag queens to perform before the children in classrooms. Some colleges and even elementary schools actually fly the gay rainbow flag, and many children don’t know whether they are a boy or girl. Confusion reigns. Where will it all end? In a fiery judgment from above? Stand with and encourage conservative congressmen, local school board members, and others in positions of authority who still have the guts to speak out!
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Regarding the gospel and 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).
- “And we are witnesses of these events, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32 NET).
- “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT)
- “But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29 ESV).
- “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.”
(Proverbs 13:13 NKJV). - “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).
- “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:7,8 KJV).
We can rail against “works salvation” all day long, but in the evening, after all the verses are in, we have to conclude that without obedience there is no hope of eternal life. Works without faith is futile, but faith without works is dead. Salvation does not stand on one verse alone—the whole counsel of God must be considered (Acts 20:27; Hebrews 6:17).
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We believe, but….
How sad are those who say, “We believe the Bible, but not in those places that seem to contradict modern science, or…
…when it says we can’t be saved without being born again.
…where it tells new believers to change their lifestyle.
…when it promotes creation and denies the theory of evolution.
…where it declares that there is only one divine Person who is God.
…when it indicates that some “good people” may not go to heaven.
…where it mandates water baptism in the name of Jesus.
“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3 NLT).
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This time of year, some trees just love to brag.
But some folks do it year round:
It’s that time of year….
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Last Words
- Misgendering is when you have convinced someone to refer to you as a gender you were not born with. – PP
- “The life of the nation is secure only when the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” – Frederick Douglas
- Wisdom sez: “It’s best to let clear passages interpret those that are vague, rather than trying to make vague renderings override those that are clear.”
JREnsey Blog 
The bragging’ trees are gorgeous! The t