The Church of Pergamum refers to the early Church that had its home in Pergamom, a wealthy city at the center of Roman government. It was a city known for it's beautiful art. But it was also known as a city that would worship pagan gods like Zeus, Athena and others who held strongholds in that area. In fact, Jesus, through John's writings acknowledges that this church, was located where satan has his throne! Twice He points out that satan lives in the city. To the Church of P

When John writes about the Church of Smyrna, my Bible titles it as the 'Persecuted Church.' In America, I'm not sure this letter is written to us . . . yet. But we have Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world who are living as the Persecuted Church. Although our news media steers clear of reporting these atrocities, one can check out websites like "Global Christian Relief" to read stories about modern day Christians whose lives are threatened because they belie

Many believe the seven Churches written about in Revelations 2 and 3 represent a time in history, to the first-century Apostolic Church. But I would wonder if Christians today might see themselves in these Scriptures. Remember God's Ekklesia is more than just churches and their denominations, It IS you and me. What part do we play as living temples for the Kingdom of Heaven? Paul talks about this in his letter to the Corinthians. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who l

Recently I've been asking the Lord about our Church today. Why are we seemingly absent from the political realm? Why have we deemed that our "vote doesn't count anyway?" Or why are we silent when babies are murdered in the womb? Why do we argue over senseless things yet refuse to stand on the truths that are found in our Bibles? Matthew 16: 15-18 tells the story of Peter's declaration of Jesus. Then he (Jesus) asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are

I've been directing many posts to the Church lately. Today, God seems to be nudging me to make a distinction as to who or what His Church is, in today's world. He has given us our purposes within the early Church. The Ekklesia. The Church which began when His Holy Spirit came up on the earliest believers. The witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This morning as I was reading, these words in I Peter 1:1-2 suddenly became clear to me. "To God's elect,

4th in the series In the last post, God had given Joshua a battle plan. Joshua and His people were to "Be strong and VERY courageous, meditate on God's Word, day AND night, and OBEY all that is written in it. Throughout the Book of Joshua, we see that God is faithful to His promises. We see divine victories. This book is a testimony to a God who shows up when a people study His Word and put their faith in Him. When a people stand upon the Word of the Lord and step out in obe

3rd in the Series Joshua Remember, God is instructing Joshua to lead the people into the land. He is giving Joshua a battle plan. It is detailed. It is precise. It is holy. "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful."(Joshua 1:9) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your Go

2nd in the Series Joshua God has given the land to the Israelites. BUT they had to engage in the battle to gain what He had given them! They had to believe God's promise that the land belonged to them AND TAKE IT! God told Joshua that just as He had given the land to Moses, "everywhere you go, as far as the Negev Dessert to the Lebanon Mountains to the Euphrates River, to the Mediterranean Sea and all the land of the Hittites" that the land belonged to Joshua. (Joshua 1:1-4)

First in the Series I hadn't noticed the disappearing Church because the church buildings still seem to be on every corner. I remember when I was raising my children, we were at our local Church on Sunday mornings AND Wednesday nights. In fact, our Church called their mid-week program Wednesday Night Alive. And it was. The building was busting at the seams with Bible Studies for adults, teens, children and a nursery. No one; not school administrations, not coaches, not anyon

Lord, I pray that you put men and women whose hearts hunger for righteousness into our Senate and Congress. We pray that folks who stand for righteousness would infiltrate our offices of Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and Attorney General. We lift up each of Your people who are running for offices and ask that you continue to look upon them with favor. We come against the lies and pray for truth to be known. We pray Minnesota will be known as a sta

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 These words don't feel like comfort words. They point out the ugliness in the world. They point out situations where relationships are strained because of differing opinions. If you've experienced it, you know that to stand a

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 I don't really know persecution. Living in a country where most of my life I've been allowed to speak my opinions, worship freely, and walk in freedom, I have no idea what it is like to be persecuted for righteousness. An article in Global Christian Relief tells the story of Lawan Andimi. Before his death in January of 2020, Andimi led thousands to faith in Jesus Ch

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 What is a peace maker? According to Reverand Billy Graham, in his article, Billy Graham on Peace, he tells us that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but it is the deep, abiding peace that only Jesus can offer us. Billy Graham is quoted as saying; "Peacemaking is a noble vocation . . . To be a peacemaker, you must know the Peace-Giver." In an article by John Piper, on desiringGod, he poi

"Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God." Matthew 5:8 I admit, the morning I sat down to study these words, I was angry at God. My mom, 96 years young, had taken a fall leaving her body badly beaten. In my eyes, mom was pure in heart, servant to many, kind, generous, fun-loving but at this moment in time, she didn't appear to be "blessed." My journal that morning testifies to my inner struggle spilling out to God. Somewhere in the "why God" I relented to Him, p

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7 What does it mean to be merciful? According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, mercy means 1. compassion, leniency, or restraint shown especially to an offender or to one subject to the power of another. 2. a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion 3. compassionate treatment of those in distress. Interesting that each of those definitions use the word 'compassion' which according to Merriam-Webst

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6 According to Merriam Websters' dictionary, hunger means a strong desire. Thirst means an ardent desire: craving, longing. The folks in Jesus' time would have known what it was like to experience deep hunger for food and deep thirst in the desert terrain. Remember the folks in Judea did not have our modern conveniences of refrigeration, running water, electricity. I can't relate

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 I used to think that the word meek meant weak. In English meek translates as mild or soft. But the Greek word used here is Praus. According to the Blue Letter Bible App, this word would describe a powerful war horse willing to go into the thick of battle as directed by its rider. Don't miss this-the war horse is in service to the rider, it's Master. This would lead to the question, whom do you serve? Being

The Beatitude Series-part 2 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 I am in a season of mourning. Mike and I have all too recently lost both of our moms. They are walking now, pain-free, on the golden streets of heaven. Maybe dancing. Certainly celebrating with their loved ones. But today I mourn. I miss these two lovely ladies. One, my dear sweet mom and the other, our beloved Betty. Living in the blessing, though, the Makarios, helps me to real

I've been meditating on the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter five for quite some time now. Drinking in the Scriptures one by one. Reading commentaries. Studying the words. Asking the Lord to help me to understand them. May I share in a short series, how the Lord has blessed me in the reading of these words? The Bible tells us that upon seeing the multitudes of folks gathering on the mountain, Jesus taught these words. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of

The I Peter 1:4 speaks of our inheritance as Christians. An inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. One that is kept in heaven for us. So I would like to share about our mom’s beautiful last day here in this world. A Full Day Danny, Lenore, Diana, Randy, Janet, Margie and myself had been with mom along with many others-family and friends. Cousin Lori and her husband Steve brought roses and memories. Pastor Terri had come by to give communion to all of us and to pray