This is not a condemnation against all judging, but it is against hypocritical judging. For the Bible teaches that we should not judge unjustly, by human standards, by comparing others to ourselves, in hate, with wrong motives, and/or prejudicially, but we are to judge righteously. So, this is like “the pot calling the kettle black,” i.e. when those who are guilty of certain sins stand in condemnation against others who are guilty of the same exact sins.

[Matthew 7:1-5; John 7:24,51; John 8:15-16; Romans 2:3; Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 10:12; James 5:19-20; Jude 1:22-23]

And it might not be the exact same sin, technically speaking, but in the same category. For example a heterosexual might condemn someone for being in a homosexual relationship but while that person is engaged in adultery and sexual immorality of a different nature. For that person might be a porn addict, and all that comes along with porn addiction, but while that person will look down upon and condemn a homosexual relationship.

And this is about people who make sin their practice. All sin is wrong, but it is those who practice sin who are condemned by God, i.e. those who deliberately and habitually return to the same sins over again and do not change course. They always return to their vomit without conscience, and without remorse, and without concern for who gets hurt in the process. For their god is their flesh, and feeding the flesh overcomes all else.


And we are talking here about many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ but who are not living holy lives, pleasing to God, in walks of surrender to the will of God in obedience to his commands. But they are still walking in sin, making sin their practice, and not obedience to God. For they are those who are stubborn and unrepentant in heart and mind, many of whom are convinced that their habitual sins will not hinder their eternal life with God.

But Paul, as led by the Holy Spirit, makes it clear here that God is going to render to each person according to his deeds. For those who persevere in doing the good that God requires of us, we will have eternal life with God. But for those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth of God’s word, his gospel, but who obey unrighteousness, instead, they will face the wrath and indignation of God, and they will not have eternal life with God.

For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return. For Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” For not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God the Father in heaven (see Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 7:21-23).

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Living Water

An Original Work / November 21, 2013
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
Based off Various Scriptures

My people have forsaken Me,
Their Savior, who died on a tree;
Made idols, and they worshipped them;
So empty, they will ne’er fulfill.

Lord, You are the hope of Your chosen ones.
Those who turn away from You will be shamed;
The Spring of Living Water left behind.

Living Water satisfies.

The thirsty, let them come and drink;
Believe in Jesus as their King;
The gift of Jesus given them,
So they will never thirst again.

Indeed, the Living Water flows within.
It springs up like a fountain cleansing sin.
Eternal life in heaven promised them.

Living Water glorifies.

Oh people, won’t you come to Him?
Obey Him and repent of sin.
Let Jesus come and live within.
Surrender all your life to Him.

My people, won’t you turn your hearts to Me?
Forsake your idols and then you’ll be free.
Won’t you come now to Me on bended knee?

Living Water sanctifies.

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Hypocritical Judging
An Original Work / December 17, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Certainly! Let's dive deeper into each step of tracing the history of a manuscript, from identification and analysis to the final stages of reception and the modern tools used in manuscript studies.

1. Identification and Classification of a Manuscript​

Paleography (The study of ancient handwriting)​

• What is it? Paleography is the study of ancient scripts and handwriting styles. By examining the writing itself, scholars can make educated guesses about when and where the manuscript was produced.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars examine the style of writing (e.g., uncial, minuscule, cursive).
  • Different periods in history had distinct handwriting styles, so a certain script (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus uses a particular style) can help date a manuscript to a specific time.
  • Regional characteristics of scripts also give insight into where the manuscript might have been produced (e.g., Greek minuscule script used widely in the Byzantine era).
• Example: The Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) is written in uncial script, which was common in the early centuries of Christianity.

Codicology (The study of manuscripts as physical objects)​

• What is it? Codicology examines the physical characteristics of a manuscript: the materials used, its format, the binding, the number of pages, and other physical aspects.
• How it's done:
  • Materials: Scholars check whether the manuscript is made of papyrus, parchment, or paper, which can help date the manuscript. For instance, papyrus was used primarily in Egypt before the 4th century, while parchment became more common in the medieval period.
  • Layout: Codicologists look at how the text is arranged: is it a scroll (older form), or a codex (a bound book, which became the preferred format in the 4th century)?
  • Condition and Repair: How well-preserved is the manuscript? Signs of wear and tear or repairs can indicate the manuscript’s age and its continued use over time.
  • Signatures and Quiring: Examining how pages were folded or grouped together (called "quires") can tell scholars how the manuscript was copied and assembled.

Textual Elements (Analysis of the content)​

• What is it? This refers to looking at the specific content of the manuscript—its language, style, content variations, and any unique features.
• How it's done:
  • Textual variants: Manuscripts can contain unique readings or marginal annotations that may differ from other versions of the same text. These variations can provide important clues about the evolution of the text.
  • Language: The language of the manuscript, whether it's written in Greek, Latin, Syriac, or another ancient language, can help narrow down the geographical origin and the time period of the manuscript.
  • Commentary or Inscriptions: Some manuscripts contain annotations by later readers or scribes that provide additional insights into how the manuscript was used and transmitted.

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2. Establishing the Manuscript’s Source (Provenance)​

Provenance Research​

• What is it? Provenance refers to tracing the history and ownership of a manuscript. Knowing where and how a manuscript was discovered or moved through history can give important clues about its origin.
• How it's done:
  • Ownership Marks: Many manuscripts have ownership inscriptions or ex-libris (ownership stamps) that identify who owned the manuscript at various points in time.
  • Libraries and Archives: If the manuscript is part of a major library or collection, scholars can trace its cataloging history and discovery timeline.
  • Sale Records: If the manuscript was sold at auction or passed through a dealer, scholars can investigate those records to determine when it left one location and moved to another.
  • Cultural Context: Provenance also includes understanding the cultural or historical context in which the manuscript was created or used, including the political, religious, and economic circumstances of the period.

Watermarks (for Paper Manuscripts)​

• What are they? Watermarks are distinctive marks left in paper that were created when the paper was manufactured. Watermarks can indicate the place and time of production.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars use tools to illuminate or magnify watermarks to identify the mill and date when the paper was made.
  • Example: Paper used in manuscripts after the 13th century often contains identifiable watermarks that help scholars date manuscripts.

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3. Textual Transmission and Variants​

Textual Criticism​

• What is it? Textual criticism is the process of comparing different manuscripts to identify differences in wording, errors, and intentional changes. This allows scholars to reconstruct the most likely original text.
• How it's done:
  • Comparing Manuscripts: Scholars compare various manuscripts of the same text to identify variants—passages that differ slightly (e.g., word choice, sentence structure).
  • Genealogical Method: By grouping manuscripts that share the same textual variations, scholars can create families of manuscripts (e.g., Byzantine, Alexandrian, Western text types for New Testament manuscripts).
  • Stemmatics: This involves constructing a stemma (family tree) of manuscripts, tracing how a text has been copied and evolved through different generations of scribes.

Citations and Quotations​

• What is it? Early references to a manuscript or text by other authors, such as Church Fathers or theologians, can provide evidence of the manuscript's circulation and influence.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars examine early citations of the manuscript or portions of its text in biblical commentaries, sermons, or theological writings.
  • Quotation Marks and Paraphrases: The way the text is quoted or paraphrased can give insights into the exact wording of the manuscript at a certain time.

Colophons and Annotations​

• What are they? Colophons are notes written by the scribe at the end of a manuscript that provide information about the copying process. Annotations could be notes by later readers or scribes indicating when and where the manuscript was copied or corrected.
• How it's done:
  • Colophons sometimes include dates, place names, and scribe names, allowing scholars to pinpoint exactly when and where the manuscript was copied.

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4. Studying the Reception History​

Commentaries and Scholarly Use​

• What is it? Manuscripts are often quoted, referenced, or interpreted in later works, providing insights into how the text was received and used.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars trace references to the manuscript in biblical commentaries, liturgical texts, and theological writings.
  • Example: If a manuscript of the New Testament is quoted by Irenaeus or Tertullian, scholars can learn how the text was understood in early Christian thought.

Manuscript Reuse and Rebinding​

• What is it? Over time, manuscripts were often rebound or reused to conserve them, sometimes with multiple texts bound together.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars study rebindings and the way different texts were incorporated together to understand the manuscript’s use and importance over time.

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5. Digital Manuscript Studies and Databases​

Manuscript Databases​

• What are they? Manuscript databases compile digital images of manuscripts, their metadata (provenance, condition, etc.), and textual variants.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars can search large collections of manuscripts using keywords, variants, or specific codicological features to compare and trace a manuscript’s history.
  • Example: The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls project digitized the Dead Sea Scrolls, allowing scholars to study them without damaging the fragile originals.

Comparative Analysis Software​

• What is it? New software tools help scholars compare multiple versions of manuscripts and track variants and evolutions of texts in real-time.
• How it's done:
  • Scholars can upload manuscript images or text into digital tools to automatically compare different versions of the same text. This speeds up textual analysis, helping to identify patterns of transmission and changes over time.

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Summary of the Steps in Tracing Manuscript History​

1. Identification and Classification:
   • Paleography, codicology, textual elements, and material analysis help categorize the manuscript and date it.
2. Provenance Research:
   • Provenance involves tracking ownership, geographical origin, and historical movement.
3. Textual Criticism:
   • Analyzing variations, errors, and corrections through comparison of manuscripts to reconstruct the original text.
4. Reception History:
   • Tracing how the manuscript was quoted, referenced, and used by later authors, scholars, and communities.
5. Digital Tools:
   • Modern tools enhance manuscript study with digital databases, comparative analysis, and software to assist scholars in manuscript research.

Just because we make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ with our lips, it does not mean that we are saved from our sins, and that we have eternal life with God. For Jesus taught that to come to him in faith we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin and to self) and follow him in obedience to his commands. And the Scriptures teach that if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, and if we do not repent of sin and obey God, that we don’t know God, and we do not have eternal life with God.

Whether or not we make verbal confessions of Christ as Lord, we cannot live in deliberate and habitual sin against God, making sin our practice, and not obedience to the Lord, and then claim, “We didn’t know.” For it is made very clear to us here in Romans 1 that God has revealed himself to all humankind through his created works so that we are all without excuse if we choose our sinful practices over God. For the wrath of God is against all ungodliness of humans who suppress the truth about God in unrighteousness.

Now, we cannot know God intimately, in a sense of being in a relationship with him, unless we, by faith in him, have died with him to sin and we are now walking in obedience to his commands. And this is not saying that we will never sin again (1 John 2:1-6), but that sin should no longer be our practice, our habit, and what we keep returning to over again willfully and deliberately because we want the sin more than we want to be in a relationship with God. But we are all aware of God and who he is.

So, according to this Scripture, all who choose to walk in sin, and to live sinful lifestyles, do not do so in total ignorance, thinking that what they are doing is right and good, and not evil. Now they may make excuses for their sinful lifestyles, and for their wrong choices, but it is not out of complete ignorance of right from wrong. It is out of a choice to ignore what they know about God, to not honor him for who he is, and a choice to exchange what they know about God so as to follow after the gods of this world, instead.

And this includes many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ with their lips, but whose hearts are far from God, for they are still living according to the flesh, doing what their flesh desires, and their lives are not surrendered to God to doing his will. Sin still has control over their lives, and not God, so they still choose their sins over God on a habitual basis. And for many of them, it appears, their predominant sins are sexually immoral in nature, particularly related to porn addiction and to what all else that entails.

Therefore, God gives them over to the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. So, they end up doing what is dishonorable, improper, immoral, wicked, and dishonest. And so they end up getting involved in extramarital affairs, some of which may be of a homosexual nature, and/or they become addicted to pornography of many kinds with all sorts of distortions of what is considered normal. And so they become filled with all wickedness, even knowing it means death, not life.

And sadly, so much of what is taught today as “the gospel of Christ” is not of Christ Jesus at all, but that which comes straight from the heart of Satan. For so many are teaching that all that God requires is that we make a verbal confession of him as Lord, and we believe in his death and resurrection, and now salvation from sin and eternal life with God are guaranteed us, but regardless of how we live. And so many people are being given liberty to keep on in sin and are convinced they don’t have to obey God’s commands.

But Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

So, please take this to heart. Faith in Jesus Christ is not liberty to live however we want in disobedience to our Lord and to his commands. If sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, we will not see God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
Recording Via Gerry Peters, music producer and arranger

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Their Foolish Hearts
An Original Work / December 17, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Hello,

i created a thread a few months ago on this forum, asking muslim Allah to kill me if He does exist. The thread was moderated and closed.
I read someone mentionning on the thread a killing in England the day after this of its creation. No other substantial reply

i created a few days ago, on the "kitchen sink" as well, a thread questionning about the moral purpose of the veiling. No reply either, but i heard about a killing, the day after it was created in Australia.

Do you think, please, it's just my paranoïa, or it could be more than a coincidence between these killings and the threads ?
(Actually, it's just that the killings makes me more and more doubting muslim Allah exists, and moral arguing also for veiling)

Prayers for justice and resolution are needed as my workplace has misplaced an entire week of 6 long hour-days that I worked for them and does not have the hours registered so that I will get paid for them. I don’t work for free, and I have a record of the missing hours, so please pray that I can get the hours added back onto my total and get myself paid for them.

Also, my windows computer for some reason has choked on itself and the start menu, connect to the internet menu, and settings menu all do not open. The rest of it works fine. I have reason to believe that a bad Windows Update is the cause. Please pray that I can get the bad update repaired or uninstalled and things back the way they should be. I’m usually pretty good with computers, but this problem came at the worst possible time.

Thanks.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that a Catholic charity can be exempt from an unemployment insurance tax, affirming an earlier ruling from the United States Supreme Court.

In an order released Monday, the state high court concluded that Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB), Inc. and four sub-entities were “eligible for the religious purposes exemption to unemployment taxation.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered that the case be sent back to the circuit court level with the instruction to vacate a decision by the Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC) against the CCB.

The order also rejects an attempt by state officials to eliminate the religious exemption altogether, according to the religious liberty law firm Becket, which represented the CCB.

Continued below.

Like the title says, I have a colonoscopy on Thursday. Asking for prayers that everything is okay and to help me through the prep portion tomorrow.

Thank you so much!

The Covenant Theology forum is now read-only. I can't find anything in the announcements explaining why. Does anyone know?

Dying to self is an indispensable cal to discipleship. And yet it the least practiced. There are some forms that come naturally, like sacrifices we make for family members. But when it comes to hardships in life, surrendering our will to God’s will as revealed through the realities of life, we crumble. It is only human.

And it is so humbling. We may think we are spiritually advanced until it comes to a reality that we not only would not choose, but may not even accept. Illnesses, deaths, tragedies, or just unfortunate turns of events. Can any of us say like Job, (Job 2:10) "Shall we accept good from God, and not adversity?" or "Should we take only good things from God and not trouble?"

Hi, I may explain in another post why I'm in a perpetual state of panic (not sure though), so bad such that I'm having a never-ending headache and my emotions are showing in my face in public, even though I'm otherwise good at hiding it. It didn't help that I saw this gloom-and-doom post on Reddit about how no one is really going to help you and that there's no point in living, etc.

This psalm is an appeal to the people of all the earth to come to genuine God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son). For He is God, our creator God who made us. And God the Father sent him to the earth to die for us on a cross so that we might die with him to sin and live to him and to his righteousness. By faith in Jesus Christ we therefore are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, not as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness.

But this is not just about singing and making a joyful noise, for we are to serve the Lord with gladness. And in order to serve the Lord we must first of all believe in Jesus Christ in truth and in righteousness. We must die with him to sin so that we can be raised with him to walk in newness of life in him. We must deny self, die daily to sin, and walk in obedience to his commands if we are to be of the faith which saves us from our bondage to sin and which empowers us to live godly and holy lives pleasing to God.

Now God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – is our creator God. So in that sense he owns us and he can do with us as he chooses. But only those who listen to (heed, regard, follow) our Lord Jesus, and who walk with him in obedience to his commands, are his true sheep (followers). And they only are the ones who are promised eternal life with God, that they will never perish, and that no one can snatch them out of the hands of God. For if we do not obey God, but we continue in sin, we will not have life in Him.

Now if we are to enter the gates of the Lord, we can only do that via dying with Christ to sin and by his grace now walk in fellowship with him in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living. Verbal professions of faith in Jesus Christ alone do not bring us into genuine relationship with our Lord. And they do not assure us of forgiveness of all sins and the hope of heaven when we die. For we can’t really know God if we do not obey him, and we can’t be in fellowship with him if we are still deliberately walking in sin.

So, if we truly want to enter into the gates of our Lord, it is not just with singing and verbally praising the Lord and verbally speaking or singing words of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. For there are many who give lip service to the Lord whose hearts are far from him. Their worship of God is in formality only, as taught by other humans, but there is no substance behind what is verbally coming from their lips. And so they will die in their sins. They will not enter into God’s heavenly gates at the end of it all.

For the Lord is good, and he is completely faithful to all that he said that he would do. And so we cannot just verbalize worship and praise of God with our lips only and think that assures us forgiveness of all sins and heaven as our eternal destiny. Many who profess the name of Jesus are still walking in sin, still doing what their evil hearts desire, hiding what they do in secret, thinking that no one knows. But God knows. And he said if we walk in sin and do not obey him that we will not inherit eternal life with God.

And that is a very sad reality, and one that grieves me regularly. So many people giving lip service to the Lord, singing their praise and worship songs, convinced that all their sins are forgiven, and that heaven is their eternal destiny, but who are dying and going to hell because they would not surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. They would not deny self, die daily to sin, and walk in obedience to God’s commands. But they continued in their deliberate and habitual sin and would not submit to Christ as Lord.

So, don’t take God’s grace for granted. Don’t assume that just because you made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and/or that you got baptized, and/or that you attend weekly “church” gatherings where you lift your hands and verbally sing songs of worship and praise of God, that God is now pleased with you and that heaven is guaranteed you. For Jesus said that not everyone who says to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING the will of God the Father who is in heaven.

[Is 29:13-16; Is 53:1-12; Matt 7:21-23; Matt 26:26-29; Lu 9:23-26; Lu 17:25; Jn 1:1-36; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 8:24,58; Jn 10:27-33; Jn 20:28-29; Rom 5:8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 9:5; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 11:23-32; 1 Co 15:1-8; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Eph 4:17-24; Php 2:5-11; Col 2:9; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 1:8-9; Heb 2:14-15; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:24; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

Songwriters: L. David Lewis / Kim Williams / Edward Monroe Hill

There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone

Here they talked of revolution
Here it was they lit the flame
Here they sang about tomorrow
And tomorrow never came

From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
And I can hear them now!

The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On this lonely barricade
At dawn

Phantom faces at the window
Phantom shadows on the floor
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more

Oh my friends, my friends
Don't ask me what your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more

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Empty Voices Singing Empty Praise
An Original Work / December 16, 2024
Reposted December 16, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, As we enter this Christmas season, quiet our hearts and draw us near to the wonder of Your Son’s birth. Open our eyes to see Jesus in the Scriptures, our ears to hear Your gentle leading, and our spirits to receive the peace You freely give. Let this devotional lead us closer to Emmanuel - God with us - as the Holy Spirit illuminates Your Word and fills us with fresh awe at the gift of Christ. Prepare our hearts to worship, listen, and respond with thanksgiving and reverence. In Jesus’ wonderful Name, Amen.

Introduction

Christmas is more than a familiar story - it is the unfolding of God’s love, promise, and redemption. Each moment, from the angel’s whisper to Mary to Simeon’s joyful blessing in the temple, reveals the heart of a God who draws near to His people. These passages invite us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the faithfulness of the One who stepped into our world with humility and glory.

This devotional follows the journey of Christ’s birth through Scripture, not simply to retell the events, but to uncover the meaning woven into each moment. As you read, may the Holy Spirit bring comfort, clarity, and renewed wonder. May this season remind you that God still speaks, still leads, and still fulfills His promises in the lives of those who seek Him.

Annunciation to Mary

The angel’s announcement to Mary reveals the tenderness of God’s choosing. He steps into the quiet life of a young woman in Nazareth and entrusts her with the greatest miracle the world has ever known. This moment shows that God does not look for status, position, or earthly strength - He looks for a willing heart. Mary’s “Let it be to me according to your word” becomes the model of humble surrender for every believer.

Luke 1:38 (NKJV) “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”

This passage also reminds us that God often begins His greatest works in hidden places. Before the manger, before the shepherds, before the star - there was a private encounter between heaven and a young woman. Christmas begins with God drawing near to the ordinary, the overlooked, and the faithful. It is a reminder that He still speaks into quiet lives today. (See: Luke 1 (NKJV))

Joseph’s Dream

Joseph’s encounter with the angel reveals the righteousness of a man who chooses obedience over reputation. Faced with confusion and what looked like betrayal, Joseph planned to act with mercy. But when God spoke, he surrendered his understanding and embraced God’s plan. His obedience protected Mary, preserved the lineage of David, and fulfilled prophecy.

Matthew 1:24 (NKJV) “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”

This moment teaches us that God often asks us to trust Him when the path makes no sense. Joseph’s “yes” was quiet, steady, and costly - yet it positioned him to be part of God’s redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that obedience, even when unseen, carries eternal significance. (See: Matthew 1 (NKJV))

Isaiah’s Prophecy

Isaiah’s prophecy declares the identity of the coming Messiah long before His birth. “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” is not poetic language - it is a revelation of who Jesus truly is. Christmas is not merely the birth of a child; it is the arrival of God Himself in human flesh.

This prophecy also anchors our hope. The Child born in Bethlehem is the One who carries government, authority, and peace upon His shoulders. In a world filled with uncertainty, Isaiah 9:6 reminds us that Christ’s kingdom is unshakable, His peace is enduring, and His reign is eternal.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus reveals the humility of God’s heart. The King of Glory entered the world not in a palace but in a manger, wrapped in simple cloths and laid among animals. This was not an accident - it was a declaration that God draws near to the lowly, the poor, and the overlooked. Christmas is the story of a Savior who came down to lift us up.

Luke 2:7 (NKJV) “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

This moment also shows that God’s greatest gifts often arrive quietly. No crowds, no trumpets, no earthly celebration - just the steady faithfulness of God fulfilling His promise. The manger reminds us that God’s presence transforms even the simplest places into holy ground.

(See: Luke 2 (NKJV))

Shepherds Visit

The shepherds were the first to hear the good news, showing that God delights in revealing Himself to the humble. They were ordinary men doing ordinary work, yet heaven opened above them. The angelic announcement reminds us that the gospel is for all people - not just the powerful or the learned, but the everyday person who is willing to listen.

Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV) “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

Their response is equally important. They didn’t delay, question, or analyze - they went “with haste” to see the Savior. Their simple obedience turned them into the first evangelists of the New Testament. Christmas invites us to respond with the same eagerness and joy.

Magi Visit

The Magi represent the nations being drawn to Christ. Guided by a star, they traveled far to worship the newborn King. Their gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - reveal Jesus’ identity as King, God, and Sacrifice. Their journey shows that true worship requires seeking, honoring, and offering our best to Him.

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their visit also reveals that God’s salvation is not limited to Israel alone. From the very beginning, Jesus is recognized by Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise that all nations would be blessed through Him. Christmas is a global invitation to worship the One who came for all. (See: Matthew 2 (NKJV))

Flight into Egypt

The flight into Egypt shows God’s protective hand over His Son. Joseph obeyed immediately when warned in a dream, and that obedience preserved the life of the Messiah. Even in the earliest days of Jesus’ life, we see spiritual opposition rising - yet God’s plan cannot be stopped. His guidance is always timely, precise, and purposeful.

Matthew 2:13–15 (NKJV) “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”

This moment also fulfills prophecy, showing that nothing in Jesus’ life was accidental. God weaves every detail into His redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that God protects His purposes and leads His people even in seasons of sudden change or uncertainty.

Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents

This tragic event reveals the darkness into which Christ was born. Herod’s cruelty shows the brokenness of a world desperate for a Savior. Yet even in sorrow, God’s sovereignty remains. The cries of the mothers in Bethlehem echo the world’s longing for justice, healing, and redemption — all of which are found in Christ.

This passage also reminds us that Jesus came not into a peaceful world, but into a world filled with suffering. Christmas is not sentimental; it is salvation. Christ entered our pain to bring hope, light, and deliverance.

Matthew 2:16–18 (NKJV) “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.’”

Return to Nazareth

The return to Nazareth shows God’s quiet guidance in the ordinary. After the danger had passed, Joseph brought his family back to a humble town where Jesus would grow in wisdom and stature. Nazareth was not prestigious, yet it became the place where the Savior lived, learned, and prepared for His ministry.

Matthew 2:19–23 (NKJV) “Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.’ Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’”

This moment teaches us that God often works in the hidden years. Before miracles, teachings, and the cross, there were decades of simple life. Christmas reminds us that God is present not only in dramatic moments but in the steady lifestyles of everyday faithfulness.

Simeon’s Blessing

Simeon represents the faithful who wait with hope. Led by the Spirit, he recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah the moment he saw Him. His words declare that Christ is salvation for all people - a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. Simeon’s joy shows that God always keeps His promises, even if the waiting is long.

Luke 2:25–32 (NKJV) “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before

he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.’”

His blessing also reveals the purpose of Christ’s coming: salvation, revelation, and redemption. Simeon saw in the infant Jesus what many would later miss - the fulfillment of God’s covenant love. Christmas invites us to see Christ with the same clarity and thanksgiving.

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the gift of Your coming - for the hope You bring, the peace You give, and the salvation You offer to all. As we reflect on these Scriptures, seal their truth in our hearts. Help us to walk in the same humility, obedience, and faith that marked the lives of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and all who recognized Your glory.

Let the light of Your presence guide us into the days ahead. Strengthen our faith, deepen our thanksgiving, and fill us with the joy of knowing that You are Emmanuel - God with us, now and always. Amen.

Questions to Ponder

1. Where in my life is God inviting me to respond with the same trust and surrender that Mary and Joseph showed?

1. How does the humility of Christ’s birth reshape the way I see God, myself, and others?

1. Which part of the Christmas story speaks most deeply to me this year, and why might the Holy Spirit be drawing my attention to it?

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To the Holy Spirit: Thank You for guiding every word, guarding every step, and glorifying Jesus. All glory, honor, praise, and worship belong to God Almighty, who alone is worthy.

Scripture Acknowledgement: All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Special thanks to Bible Gateway for providing accessible, searchable Scripture resources that support devotional writing and spiritual study.

May these words echo grace, healing, and truth wherever they are read.

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“Tis the season to be jolly.” Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men. These are sayings associated with Christmas, the day that Jesus the Christ was born; or was it? Certainly this could be a description of Christmas. Celebrations such as these were taking place among non-Christians centuries before Jesus Christ was born! Such customs do not come from the Bible. They have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not originate them, nor were they observed by the prophets (Old Testament) or the apostles (New Testament). We're going to examine Christmas, its origin and customs, and see if in fact Christmas is of God or Pagan. Should it be Celebrated or Rejected?

Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men. Why, because we feed and shelter the less fortunate on this one day called Christmas? Shouldn't we care for the less fortunate all year long? Retailers increase the prices on merchandise, to try to recover from poor sales from the 1st three-quarters of the fiscal year.

Christmas (December 25th) is taught to be the day that Jesus the Christ was born. The fact is Jesus was not even born in the winter season. When Jesus was born, "there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8). This could never have occurred in Judea in the month of December. The shepherds always brought their flocks from the mountainsides and fields and corralled them no later than October, to protect them from the cold, rainy season that followed. Notice in Songs of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9, 13, that winter was a rainy season and typically the herds would most likely not be out in the rainy winter season. "It was an ancient custom among Jews of those days to send out their sheep to the fields and deserts about the Passover (early spring), and bring them home at commencement of the first rain," says the Adam Clarke Commentary (Vol. 5, page 370, New York ed.) Continuing, "During the time they were out, the shepherds watched them night and day. As..the first rain began early in the month of Marchesvan, which answers to part of our October and November (begins sometime in October), we find that the sheep were kept out in the open country during the whole summer. And, as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, Jesus was not born on December 25th, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could He have been born later than September, as the flocks were in the fields by night.

Therefore, to celebrate Jesus' birth date on December 25th is not scripturally sound. Any encyclopedia will tell you that Christ was not born on December 25th. The exact date of Jesus' birth is entirely unknown, as all authorities acknowledge - though by reading the scriptures, it strongly indicates His birth was in the early fall, probably September, approximately six months after Passover. This can also be found in the Catholic Encyclopedia 1967.

Some may say, "It does not matter when He was born. I am just celebrating His birth."; whereas others may say "Jesus is the reason for the season." Is that really the case? If Jesus is the reason for the season, then why didn't He let us know when to celebrate his birth? We claim we love Jesus so much but why don't we observe his death as he commanded us. Luke 22:19, "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

Pray The Holy Spirit spreads Jesus Christ's Gospel as the primary cure in battling mental health illness especially in light of the killing of Hollywood director Rob Reiner & his wife by their mentally I'll son:

I've been Catholic for some years now, but when I first became Christian, I was Presbyterian. I enjoyed the particular church I attended, not because it was "Presbyterian" per se, but because of the quality of the people. In particular the pastor and his family were outstanding. I often mention the pastor in my posts on the forum in one way or another.

Unfortunately the Presbyterian Church of Queensland is under a lot of financial stress due to a court ruling as a result of what seemed to be unwise financial decisions by it's aged care business, Prescare. They're facing a $32 million dollar payout to clear the debt as a result, and some church property may have to be sold.


I don't wish them any ill will. There is one Presbyterian pastor I've got no time for, but other than that I hope they can pull through without losing too many parish churches.

Jackie Shroyer, the 44-year-old wife of late Minnesota missionary Beau Shroyer, who is alleged to have been the mastermind behind a murder-for-hire plot that led to his death in Lubango, Angola, in October 2024, has been convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Troy M. Easton, lead pastor of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where Shroyer and her late husband were members before moving to Lubango to do missionary work under the auspices of longtime global missionary organization SIM USA, confirmed the conviction in a statement to his congregation on Nov. 5.

“It saddens me deeply to share the following update regarding the legal proceedings involving Jackie Shroyer. This morning, I was notified that Jackie was convicted by an Angolan court of involvement in the murder of her husband, Beau Shroyer, on October 25, 2024. Jackie is expected to serve her sentence in an Angolan detention facility,” Easton said.

Continued below.

In candid interviews with Vanity Fair, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles opened up about President Donald Trump and his Cabinet over the first year of Trump's second term.

Trump ... has an "alcoholic's personality." Wiles said Trump, who has repeatedly said he doesn't drink alcohol, said he "operates [with] a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing."

She called Vice President JD Vance a "conspiracy theorist for a decade" and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought "a right-wing absolute zealot." Billionaire Elon Musk, she said, was an "odd duck" and "avowed ketamine [user]."

Wiles, responding to Vanity Fair’s articles, said it is a "disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history."

[Vance:] "I haven't looked at the article. I, of course, have heard about it. But conspiracy theorist, sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true"

Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff On Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2)​

---

Throughout the first year of Donald Trump’s second administration, Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple has interviewed Wiles amid each moment of crisis. This insider’s account joins a portfolio of portraits for an unflinching, up-close look at power—and peril.

Trump says his administration is “formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is. No bomb does what this is doing.”

It was not immediately clear how the new designation would affect administration policy or what the legal implications would be for those impacted by fentanyl use or drug traffickers.

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I am expecting the raids of US hospitals that treat patients with fentanyl to commence shortly.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Turning Point USA Senior Director Josh Thifault revealed the initiative during a news conference at the Governor’s Mansion [last] Monday. They did not outline any plans that would require schools to initiate the clubs, but Abbott said that he expects “meaningful disciplinary action” to take place against “any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas.”

Kirk’s organization has traditionally operated on college campuses, promoting itself as a hub for young people committed to conservative values. The group is also known for having created a so-called professor watchlist, which allows users to search for educators perceived as supporting and promoting liberal viewpoints in the classroom. Turning Point’s work has at times caused tension, particularly among students and faculty members who have reported being harassed because of the negative spotlight placed on them by the organization.

The group’s “Club America” chapters, meanwhile, operate in high schools. The clubs aim to “build strong networks, spearhead impactful initiatives, help students register to vote, and inspire meaningful conversations about the foundations of a free society,” according to their website.

Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also announced partnerships with Turning Point to expand the organization’s presence. Those partnerships rely on interested students to initiate the clubs, while Turning Point provides them with organizational support.

Abbott on Monday sought to distance Turning Point from any particular political party, comparing it to organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes currently present in many public schools.

The governor acknowledged that it is highly unlikely he would endorse a similar initiative for more progressive, left-leaning causes, but added that “it would not be illegal” for them to exist in public schools.

[At least he's open about his plans for biased political indoctrination.]

James Woods has slammed Donald Trump over his 'distasteful' comments about Rob Reiner despite being one of Hollywood's most outspoken supporters of the President.

The 78-year-old praised Reiner - a staunch liberal - for saving his career and being a 'Godsend in my life' during his Monday night appearance on Fox News's Jesse Watters Primetime.

The actor also hit out at Reiner's critics, claiming that although their politics did not align, the murdered filmmaker does not deserve to be spoken poorly of.

'I judge people by how they treat me, and Rob Reiner was a Godsend in my life. We got along great, we loved each other… He was always on my side,' Woods said.

'When people would say to me, "What do you think of his politics?" I would say, "I think Rob Reiner is a great patriot." Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted, to celebrate the America that we both love? No.

'He doesn't agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism. We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love.'

Woods further argued that saying 'horrible things' about Reiner is 'infuriating and distasteful,' adding: 'Because you disagree with people doesn't mean that you have to hate people.'

Continued below.

Author and apologist Dr. Sean McDowellhas researched and discussed many aspects of the Christian life—including heaven. McDowell recently answered one of the toughest topics and questions with an approachable truth.

“Would you say that [people in heaven] can’t sin?” asked an audience member at a recent event.

Sean McDowell Says in Heaven, We’ll ‘See Sin for Exactly What It Is’​

As an apologetics professor at Biola University, Sean McDowell speaks at schools, conferences, and universities. After taking a question from the audience from a recent event, McDowell jumped into a conversation about heaven.

Continued below.

That was a good service!

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We see the current deadly mass shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia. What motivated such hatred, how could they kill so many innocent people? What we see, is basically a attack much like the Pogroms of old, to wipe out the Jews.

Antisemitism in the form of persecution and Pogroms were happening way before the Holocaust, and everyone knows what happened in 1492 in Spain, but something else happened that year. In 1492, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castille issue the Alhambra Decree, mandating that all Jews be expelled from the country. History records what happened, "Spanish Jews were forced to renounce their faith or leave their thousand-year homeland behind. Meanwhile, the Spanish economy crumbled as hundreds of thousands prepared for departure, liquidating their assets and scrambling to arrange their affairs."

This had started even earlier back a century before, in 1391, when a wave of anti-Jewish riots swept through Spain, where thousands were killed. Others were forced to accept Christianity, so you can see the problem with the sincerity of these "conversions", so many of these "converts" now became persecuted by the Inquisition. And everyone knows the Roman persecution of the Jews leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and millions being killed or were exiled or fled for their lives.

So why was there such hatred of the Jews, it cant be explained by the accusation that the Jews were Christ-killers., as anti-Jewish riots swept through Roman Empire as Christians were dying in the Coliseum and spread even in non-Christian areas. So what made them different than the people in the other nations and areas, well the day of worship certainly made them stand out and distinct to say the least.

I think of children who are born without a brain, or at least most of it. Most die from it, I know, but some survive. But when they didn't have, let's say, the visual center at the back of their heads, they still saw. I know that the muscle attachment to the eyes is independent of a brain, and is controlled by the cerebral cortex, so the soul is probably in the cerebral cortex anyway, but they should really be blind when they don't have the "visual" center at the back of their heads:






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Mary had been visited by an angel of God and told that she was going to give birth to the Son of God and that she was to name him “Jesus.” But Mary was a virgin and had not been with a man, so she wondered how this would happen. And the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, i.e. that the baby would be conceived of the Holy Spirit and not of man. Therefore, when Jesus was born and he lived on the earth, he did not have a sin nature as we did, and he was fully human and fully God (God incarnate).

Sometime after Mary’s encounter with the angel, she went to the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped for joy. And that baby ended up being John the Baptist who God used to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Elizabeth called Mary blessed because she believed that there would be a fulfillment of what the Lord had said to her through the angel. For Mary considered herself the bondslave of the Lord, and so she submitted to God’s will for her life.


Mary gave all the glory and praise and credit to God and to God alone for what the Lord was doing in her life. She recognized that, even though all generations from that time forward would most certainly count her blessed of God, it was because of the great things that God did for her. So she did not raise herself up above all others. She did not desire to be worshiped. She was humble of heart and mind that God would choose her to give birth to the Son of God. So her soul exalted the Lord, and not herself.

And all of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives should have the same frame of mind and heart as Mary did in recognizing that God is our source for all the good that he does in and through our lives, and that we should give him all the glory and not take glory for ourselves. If he calls us by his grace to a particular area of ministry or service to him, we should be sure to give him all the glory and praise, and to give him all the credit for what he is doing in and through our lives.

But then Mary went on to talk about God’s mercy upon generation after generation toward those who fear him, as Mary feared God. And to fear God is to be in awe of him and to show him respect, honor, reverence, worship, devotion, and obedience to his commands. It is to take God’s words to heart, to believe them, and to honor them. And we do this when we submit to his Lordship over our lives, and we willingly deny self, die to sin daily, and walk in obedience to his commands, all in the power of God and by his grace.

But those who do not fear the Lord, because they are proud in the thoughts of their heart, he will scatter (dismiss, terminate). For Jesus Christ, in his death on that cross, put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we will now die to sin and live to obey our Lord and his commands. So, all who refuse to bow the knee to him, to humble themselves, and to submit to his will, and who choose their own sinful path, instead, even if they profess faith in the name of Jesus, they will not inherit eternal life with God.

For we learn in 1 John 1-3 that if we claim that we have fellowship with God, but yet we walk in darkness (sin), we are liars. If we claim that we know God, but we do not obey his commandments, in practice, we are liars. For it is not the one who claims he is “in Christ” who is “in Christ,” but it is the one who has denied self, died with Christ to sin, and who is now walking in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in practice, and no longer in sin. We have the hope and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

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My Soul Exalts The Lord
An Original Work / December 16, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love