• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

JD Vance, his Hindu wife and Christian conversion: Indian uproar

A debate has erupted online and in Indian social circles worldwide. The subject is U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who has been criticized for hoping that his Hindu wife, Usha, might one day share his Christian faith.

To right-wing Hindu extremists and left-wing elites, this is exaggerated as an act of war — proselytization, cultural assault, a colonial echo. The outrage is loud and the accusations swift. Yet beneath the noise lies a profound misunderstanding, not only of JD Vance, but of Christianity itself.

At a TPUSA event and in subsequent social media commentary, Vance spoke about his spiritual journey. When asked about Usha, a brilliant attorney raised in a Hindu home, he offered this reflection: “Do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that … I hope she may one day see things as I do."

Note that Vance has not suggested coercion or ultimatum. In fact, he has explicitly rejected force, saying, “But if she doesn't, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn't cause a problem for me.”

This is not proselytization. It is love, the kind Jesus modeled. Conversion in Christian theology is not a human transaction but a spiritual encounter. Jesus warned against forcing faith; in the Parable of the Sower, some seeds take root and others do not. Growth cannot be commanded.

Vance understands this truth. His critics do not.

Continued below.
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Friday Night in Mississippi: Three Shootings

On a Friday in October, there were shootings in three towns, in three different counties, in rural Mississippi. This was Friday, October 11, and some of the shootings happened after midnight, on Saturday, October 12. The final tally is nine dead from gunfire, not counting a fetus, over two dozen injured by gunfire and one other death. Why Mississippi? It is a stand-your-ground state, which does not recognize a duty to retreat from violence, and it allows concealed carry and open carry of guns without a permit.

MSNBC quotes Nick Wilson, who works for the Center for American Progress. Wilson says, “Trump is sending the National Guard to Chicago, but Mississippi’s homicide rate is twice that of Illinois.” He goes on to say that permitless carry of guns can cause small disputes to turn deadly. Another observer blames the combination of guns, alcohol and drugs.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/mississippi-mass-shooting-leland-gun-violence-murder-valley-rcna237594

ICE Launches Initiative to Protect Vulnerable Children the Biden Administration Allowed to be Placed with Unvetted Sponsors

“Secretary Noem is leading efforts to rescue and stop the exploitation of the 450,000 unaccompanied children the Biden administration lost or placed with unvetted sponsors. Many of the children who came across the border unaccompanied were allowed to be placed with sponsors who were smugglers and sex traffickers. The Trump administration has located more than 24,400 of these children in-person, in the United States, through visits and door knocks," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "We've jumpstarted our efforts to rescue children who were victims of sex and labor trafficking by working with our state and local law enforcement partners to locate these children. President Trump and Secretary Noem are laser-focused on protecting children and will continue to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to reunite children with their families."

Because of those who interfere with ICE or refuse to cooperate some of the children might not be rescued in time.

Justified/Declared Righteous by Faith

Justification by Faith

Rom 3:
21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets.

22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,

23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith.

Justification By Faith Evidenced In Old Testament

Rom 4:
7 “BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS ACTS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED UP and COMPLETELY BURIED.

8 “BLESSED and HAPPY and FAVORED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT nor CHARGE AGAINST HIM.”

ABRAHAM BELIEVED

20 But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God,

21 being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.

22 Therefore his faith WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS (right standing with God).

23 Now not for his sake alone was it written that it was credited to him,

24 but for our sake also—to whom righteousness will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead—

25 who was betrayed and crucified because of our sins, and was raised [from the dead] because of our justification [our acquittal—absolving us of all sin before God].

Results Of Justification

Rom 5:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].

9 Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].

The Word Of Faith Brings Salvation

Rom 10:
8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach—

9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

World’s Largest Statue of Our Lady of Fatima Inaugurated in Brazil

‘Working on this piece was, for me, a form of prayer in motion,’ says sculptor, who is now planning a trip to the Marian sanctuary in Portugal.

Think of the largest and most iconic sculptures on the planet. Do the Statue of Liberty in New York or Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro come to mind?

Now, an even taller statue has debuted: the largest sculpture of Our Lady of Fatima in the world, inaugurated on Thursday in the Brazilian city of Crato.

With an impressive height of 177 feet (the equivalent of a 15-story building), the new sculpture rises in the middle of an extensive urban plain — making visible the strong Marian devotion of the region’s inhabitants, inscribing faith in the landscape itself.

With an interior made of polyurethane and an exterior composed of fiberglass membranes with resin, a gel finish and special paint, the sculpture was created in parts, which were then transported to Crato and assembled like a 3D puzzle. In total, the work took one year and five months to complete, involving a team of more than 30 people. At the same time, a new sanctuary was built around it, equipped with services for pilgrims, a replica of the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, and pastoral assistance.

Continued below.

Pope Leo Embraces Transgenderism — Invites Prominent Trans Activists to Vatican Luncheon

Pope Leo XIV appears to be embracing the cause of transgenderism.

According to left-wing Catholic blogger and activist Christopher Hale, Leo will meet with Italian transgender activist Alessia Nobile and several other campaigners for a luncheon on Sunday.

He wrote on his Substack ‘The Letters from Leo’:

Continued below.

Charlie Kirk’s Grandmother Was a Devout Catholic

Charlie Kirk: “My grandma was a very devout Catholic. I grew up looking at pictures of John Paul II, She would watch EWTN all the time. I have great reverence for Catholics” When Charlie interviewed John Yep, president of Catholics For Catholics directly from Rome during the historic Conclave, they both shared something fascinating in common: Their grandmas were devout Catholics and fans of EWTN.

Charlie always showed great respect and reverence for Catholicism—the same faith he embraced more and more until the end of his life. We still remembering him with love and admiration. His legacy lives on. WATCH >

Continued below.
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Polish railway explosion an 'unprecedented act of sabotage,' prime minister says. Route is "crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine."

"Unfortunately, the worst fears have been confirmed," Tusk said in a post to X on Monday morning. The detonation "of an explosive device destroyed the railway track," the prime minister added.

Tusk did not name any suspects or a potential motive for the alleged sabotage. The prime minister did, however, note the line's importance in delivering aid to Ukraine.

In a later post, Tusk said the incident was "an unprecedented act of sabotage targeting directly the security of the Polish state and its civilians. This route is also crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine."

"We will catch the perpetrators, regardless of who their backers are," Tusk added.

Leo Poised to Grant ‘Generous’ Exemptions to Traditionis Custodes, UK Bishops Told

“Leo will ask Cardinal Arthur [Roche, prefect of the dicastery] to be generous.”​

Sources close to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales told The Pillar that Pope Leo appears poised to grant widespread exemptions to Traditionis custodes, without revoking the motu proprio itself.

Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, gave a recent address to the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, informing the bishops that the Vatican would “be generous” when asked to dispense from the restrictions to the traditional liturgy, a senior cleric told The Pillar.

According to one source present for the address, the nuncio explained that while Pope Leo is “not minded to change [Traditionis custodes], but as there are many different rites in the Church, there’s no reason to exclude the TLM.”

Continued below.

Why Does Fr. James Martin Wield So Much Influence?

We’ve all, much to our dismay, had to endure a lot of Fr. James Martin recently.

The Jesuit priest is seemingly everywhere, meeting the Pope, meeting with the bigwig politicians, thumbing his nose at the faith and morality, leading quote “pilgrimages” into St. Peter’s, and then rounding it off by confirming an openly homosexual news anchor and his “husband.”

An Anglican, Fr Calvin Robinson, put the absurdity of the situation best:



We’re so used to seeing him around laughing in triumph in our faces that we forget that Martin is *just* a Jesuit priest. He’s the associate editor for the Jesuit magazine America, yes. He’s also an author, was invited to be part of the consultant for the Vatican secretariat of communicationsby Francis, and runs an “LGBTQ ministry.”

Continued below.

Strickland shakes fellow bishops: Stop Father Martin

A known homosexual receives the sacrament of confirmation, and his partner is his godfather with the controversial Rainbow Jesuit. The Bishop Emeritus Joseph Strickland of Tyler has raised the case, reminding the US assembly of bishops that it is time to curb LGBT activism in the Church. However, some prefer to stand by and watch.

This week, the autumn assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was once again rocked by the intervention of Bishop Joseph Strickland demanding action over the spread of LGBT ideology in the Church. On November 12, members of the US episcopate (USCCB) were discussing directives for Catholic schools, when Tyler’s emeritus Bishop Strickland stood up in the room for an unscheduled intervention.

“Since we’re in the area of doctrine,” he opened, “a priest and others gathered celebrating the confirmation of a man living openly with a man…it needs to be addressed. Fr James Martin is once again involved.”

The incident Strickland referred to was the November 8 Confirmation and reception into the Catholic Church of openly homosexual ABC news anchor Gio Benitez. The man’s “husband” served as his Confirmation sponsor. Martin was one of three concelebrating priests, since Benitez credits him with his “conversion.” Both Benitez and his “husband” then received Holy Communion during the Mass that followed, in Manhattan’s Church of St. Paul the Apostle, known for its pro-LGBT activity.

The Archdiocese of New York’s own guidelines for adult reception into the Church outline that candidates must demonstrate they are living in accordance with the Church’s teachings. Given the Church’s unchanging prohibition of accepting any form of homosexual lifestyle, for Benitez to present himself as still “married” to a man exhibits he did not fulfill the criteria in any way.

“Here we are talking about doctrine,” said Strickland on Wednesday. “I just thought I need to raise that issue; I know it’s not part of any agenda, but this body gathered – we need to address it.”

Continued below.
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CNA explains: Why does the Catholic Church prohibit ‘gay marriage’?

Slightly over 10 years after it redefined marriage to include same-sex couples, the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 10 declined to revisit that controversial decision, upholding at least for now its ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that made “gay marriage” the law of the land.

A decade after that ruling, nearly a millionsame-sex couples in the U.S. are participating in what the law now defines as marriage. Yet the Catholic Church has continued to affirm the definition of marriage as being exclusively a union between a man and a woman.

That has been the prevailing definition of marriage around the world for at least about 5,000 years of human history, though many societies have allowed polygamy, or multiple spouses, in various forms. The same-sex variant of marriage, meanwhile, only became accepted in recent decades.

The Church has held since its beginning that marriage is strictly between one man and one woman. The Catechism of the Catholic Church directs that marriage occurs when “a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life.” It is “by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring.”

Continued below.

Violence against Christians rises sharply across Europe, report warns

Church arson attacks across Europe nearly doubled in 2024, part of a broader surge in anti-Christian hate crimes that included 274 personal assaults against Christians and the killing of a 76-year-old Spanish monk, according to a new report released Monday by the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe).

The report documented 2,211 anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe in 2024, with 94 arson attacks on churches — nearly double the number recorded in 2023.

An official launch of the report will take place Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion, Belief, and Conscience. OIDAC Europe compiled the report using official police figures, OSCE/ODIHR statistics, and its own case documentation.

Official numbers do not show the full scale​


Continued below.

ISIS-linked jihadis slit throats of breastfeeding mothers during a hospital attack: official

A rebel group's attack on a Catholic hospital's maternity ward in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed around 20 people, including breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Authorities have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State, for the massacre.

The strike occurred Friday night in the village of Byambwe in North Kivu province's Lubero territory, where the ADF terror group targeted a health facility run by the Little Sisters of the Presentation.

Armed men moved swiftly through the village, killing patients in their beds and setting fire to the center, local administrator Col. Alain Kiwewa told The Associated Press on Saturday.

"Women who were breastfeeding were brutally slaughtered and found with their throats slit in their hospital beds," Kiwewa was quoted as saying. Of the 17 people killed, 11 were women and six were men, he said.

Continued below.

A Light to My Path

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.” (Psalm 119:105-106 NASB1995)

If we believe in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives, this is what our faith should look like. The Word of God (the Scriptures) should be our delight. The Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit living with us, should be what are guiding our lives, giving us direction, and showing us the way in which we are to walk (in conduct, in practice). They should be our daily “bread and butter,” i.e. our daily sustenance for living. We cannot live without them.

Sadly, that is not being taught much these days. So many have reduced the gospel message to a mere verbal confession of faith in Jesus Christ which does not put sin to death in the life of the sinner, and which makes no requirements for obedience to our Lord’s commands in holy living. Thus, the teachings of the Scriptures are often being taught out of context to make them say what they do not say in context, and many are being led astray.

Therefore, a daily digest of the Scriptures, taught in context, is not being stressed much, either. Too many people are relying on the teachings of other humans in place of the teachings of Christ and his New Testament apostles. Too many are relying upon short little devotions often taught from Scriptures out of context to be their “daily bread,” i.e. their daily sustenance for living, and they are not being taught the importance of studying the Scriptures.

But reading the Scriptures ourselves is also not to be just a daily ritual we go through so that we can say that we read them. But we must be putting what we are reading into daily practice, providing that what we are reading is intended of God for us who believe in Jesus Christ. For example, we are not under the Old Covenant liturgical, ceremonial, sacrificial, purification, circumcision, dietary, and Sabbath laws. But we are still under God’s laws.

The New Covenant God has with us who believe in Jesus Christ is not lawless. His commands to us who believe in Jesus are all throughout the New Testament writings. And we are taught under the New Covenant that if we do not make obedience to God our practice, but if sin is still our practice, that, unless we repent (turn from our sin to obey God) we will not inherit eternal life with God, regardless of what professions of faith we make.

[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]

So, this is not something to be taken lightly. The Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit living within us should be what are directing our steps and guiding us in our decision making processes on a day to day basis. They are to be our “GPS,” i.e. our navigation system for daily living so that we walk in the way that is right and so that we do not end up going the wrong direction and getting lost in the cares and the traps of this world.

So, if you believe in Jesus Christ, and you have made him Lord of your life, then make His Word the lamp to your feet and the light for your path. Be dedicated to the study of the Scriptures (taught in the correct biblical context) and to putting the teachings of the Scriptures into daily practice in your lives, guided by the Holy Spirit living within you. And walk in the ways of the Lord in being and in doing what he has for you to be and to do.

His Tender Mercies

An Original Work / January 26, 2014
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


Fear not! I’m with you.
Be not dismayed!
God watches o’er you.
Trust Him today.
He’ll lead and guide you;
Give you His aid.
He’ll love and keep you
With Him always.

Walk in His footsteps.
He’ll lead the way.
Trust in His love;
Believe that He cares.
He will not leave you.
Faithful He’ll be.
His tender mercies
Now you will see.

Fellowship with Him
Throughout the day.
Tell Him your heartaches.
He’ll heal always.
Rest in His comfort.
He is your friend.
Your faith He’ll strengthen,
True to the end.

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A Light to My Path
An Original Work / November 17, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Am I Saved?

1 John 1:8-10
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 3:6-10
6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

I read this last night after a weekend of heavy drinking and eating.

This is not a habitual thing for me. I have drank less than 10 times this year but I have been struggling with overeating due to heavy restriction of calories, since the beginning of this year, in an effort to lose weight.

I have lost about 50 pounds and am only 10 pounds away from goal weight. But, the stress of it all (turning away all social engagements, business engagements, family time etc) causes me to overeat when I start to eat any sugary foods and drinking magnifies the craves and reduces all inhibition and self-control.

So, to my way of thinking, I am not only drinking to excess but then engaging in gluttony, or self sabotage or, I don't really know 100% what the exact sin would be but the action of drinking too much and then overeating seems sinful. Also, I don't view these things as glorifying God or being a light to unbelievers (my family) so it would seem to me that I am indeed sinning.

In an effort to understand, I read the above verses last night.

With regards to 1 John 1:8-10, I believe I am a sinner, have confessed my sins, asked for forgiveness and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior.

With regards to 1 John 3:6-10, sin is of the devil, and 'No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are,'

Am I truly saved then if I continue to sin? Am I sinning? I have prayed and acknowledged that I'm not sure about either of these points but, really, I am sure I am saved because I have done what the Bible says saves us according to Romans 10:9-13:

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

Any and all help is appreciated. On one hand, I feel broken hearted. I certainly do not want to be of the devil and I want to live my life for Christ and have assurance that I will be with Him when the time comes. On the other hand, I feel like I'm misunderstanding something and overreacting. On the other hand, I feel like I could want that to be the case because the consequences are devastating and I wouldn't know what the point of anything was anymore...

If you could help me, I would be forever grateful, thank you and God bless.

The 5 stages

1763355531215.jpeg

The person who becomes the Antichrist will go through 5 stages on the way to his destruction. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on the chart shows the transition points through those 5 stages.

1. as the little person, leader over a group of ten EU leaders.
2. as the prince that shall come into middle east/Israel following the Gog/Magog event.
3. as the Antichrist, perceived as the King of Israel messiah by the Jews (for a while).
4. as the revealed man of sin, end of stage 3, the Jews will reject him as continuing as their King of Israel.
5. as the beast of Revelation 13, of whom the statue image will be made of him and placed on temple mount as the AOD (abomination of desolation).

What happened in the past has an effect on us today, all because Sin is in the world.

People make the mistake of trying to separate them selves from history. They think that because these events happened so long ago, that they have no bearing on what's happening today. Had not the depression of 1929 happened, we would not have the safeguards in place today to prevent the devastation of an economic crash. Our recent economic crash called Black Tuesday was nothing compared to the crash of 1929. Had not Jesus died on the cross some 2000yrs. ago, there would be no such thing as faith in God and repentance from sin. People would still be getting stoned to death on the spot for transgressing God's law. So, what happened in the past has an effect on us today and the one thing that happened in the past that has a profound effect on us is man's iniquity. In the days of Adam, his iniquity brought death to himself and all mankind. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)

In the days of Noah, God destroyed man from the face of the earth because of his wickedness (iniquity). "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said,” I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6:5-13). As a result of Noah's righteousness, only he, his wife, his three sons and their wives were saved from destruction.

Now, in these the last days, God has said that because of the overspreading of iniquity; (iniquity is one of the signs and factors of the end of the world). “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.” And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately saying,” Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”; “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (St. Matthew 24:1-3 & 12-14)

So lets take an in depth look at iniquity, its origin and effect on man throughout history. in·iq·ui·ty (î-nîk¹wî-tê) noun 1. Gross immorality or injustice; wickedness. 2. A grossly immoral act; a sin.

Jesus was speaking to some of the Jews that believed in him and he told them that, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They in turn told Jesus that they were Abraham's seed and that they were in bondage to no man. (Even though at this time the Romans were in control of Jerusalem and Herod the Idumeaen was the ruler). How say to us that we shall be made free?

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you; whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, "We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." Jesus said unto them, “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (St. John 8:31-32, 34-44)

Before Satan became known as the Devil, his name was Lucifer, which means light bearer. He was the Angel in charge of bringing God's truth. The prophet Isaiah asked this question of Lucifer, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations?" (Isaiah 14:12)

Lets take a look and see how bold the Devil is and what he controls , since the days of Jesus. Lets go into Luke 4: 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

So we see that satan uses his power with the kingdom of the earth. Now think about what we just read, the Devil says, "all the Kingdom are his", and that he is worshiped by those to whom he gives power to. Now, if he asked the Lord to worship him, while he was in the flesh; what about the rest of us? Let's go into Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Think about it, how does he deceive the whole world? Which means me, you and everyone else has been deceive at some point for the scriptures did not say he deceive some of the world, or part of the world, but the whole world. Let's take a look and see how Satan used his power with these kingdoms. Let's go into Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. This places are the church, brothers and sisters. Let's go into Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Did you notice it was the church people who came to arrest Jesus? They did the bidding for there "father" the Devil.

A Heavenly Mindset

A Heavenly Mindset​

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
—Colossians 3:2


As believers in Yeshua, we must live for the age to come. We cannot allow our temporal circumstances or how people treat us to define who we are in God or distract us from having a heavenly perspective. We must set our focus on eternity even in the midst of tests and trials.

We must keep our eyes on the eternal prize. This world is not our home. Like Abraham, we are called to set our sights on the majestic city “whose architect and builder is God.” We must continually look toward heaven. All our thoughts and actions should be filtered through an eternal mindset.

Beloved one, we are not of this world, and it can never satisfy us. Let us stop trying to gratify ourselves with the fleeting pleasures of this life and instead live each day realizing that we are on a supernatural journey. Eternal life is our calling, and heaven is our destination. As we age, we see more and more how temporary our earthly life is. Many of us have family and friends who have already passed away. So let’s live for what will endure. Soon Messiah will return, and for those who have lived for Him, our final home will be in a place where God will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will no longer be any suffering, pain, or death.


(Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Entering His Presence (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2023), Used by permission.)


Notre Dame drops ‘acceptance and support for Catholic mission’ from staff values

Here’s a roundup of the latest Catholic education news in the United States:

Notre Dame drops ‘acceptance and support for Catholic mission’ from staff values​

The University of Notre Dame has dropped acceptance and support for its Catholic mission from the list of staff values it has held for the past 20 years.

The university’s leadership announced new updates to its staff values at its Fall 2025 Staff Town Halls on Oct. 29 and 30, according to a press release. Human Resources President Heather Christophersen said the new values were “an expression of how we seek to advance Notre Dame’s mission as a global, Catholic research university.”

Continued below.

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