Death and Hell - A Short Story by Bob Headrick

1

John Wilcox’s pain was overwhelming even with the meds they were pumping into his body. With his family around he finally succumbed to the cancers that had ravaged his organs for the last year. With a shudder his last breath wheezed past his chapped lips and he died.

His wife and adult children all hugged and cried assuring each other that he was now in a better place.

John was aware that even in his pain he was no longer in the hospital, he could not hear the sounds of the medical equipment nor the soft sobs and whispers of his family. He could not see anything and for a moment a panic rose in him that he was now blind, but like not being in the hospital that did not make sense. He had to be in the hospital but the voices, if you could call them that, were low tones of anguish and pain. As he reached out to feel where he was he realized that there were no IV lines attached and that he was actually standing up.

“What!” was all he could think, “what was going on, why was he still in pain, if he had died as he had felt he had than where was he? Was this heaven?” If so it was what not what he thought heaven would be like the few times he had thought about it.

He realized that he felt hot, not the 115^o heat of the Arizona desert, but a burning heat that felt like it was consuming him. Yet he could not feel any flames, he started to move and he could as he walked nothing changed. He was still in the excruciating pain of the cancer that had killed him, for he was dead. On top of that he now was being consumed by some flameless fire, he could not see, he could walk and move around but felt exhausted. John decided to sit down and rest after walking for an undeterminable amount of time.

The surface was hot and hard to the touch, he could not get comfortable either sitting or laying down. John was miserable and uncomfortable and he cried out in desperation. The sound was not normal even for his gravelly cancer distorted voice.

“Hell!” this must be hell he thought and a great cry of anguished laughter rose in the atmosphere around him and died away to the continuous murmur he had been hearing since he was aware that he had died.

John knew that he had died and that he was in hell, “What now?” he asked himself. He called out “Hello?” but got no response.

2

John’s wife Sarah was sad as she and the children finished the arrangements for John’s memorial and funeral services. Pastor Jack would officiate at both, she knew he was a good man but she wondered if he would be able to answer the many questions about heaven and hell that would come up.

John Jr. and Beth, Elizabeth, would have questions because of the differing beliefs of their parents and that John and Sarah did not push their beliefs on their children.

Pastor Jack Munson was a good man and as a born again Christian who had been in the ministry for twenty years and pastured New Beginnings Faith Church for the past five years he knew he was ready to officiate for his first funeral. Knowing that the day was approaching when Sarah asked him about a week before John passed, he had been seeking the guidance of Holy Spirit to give him the words of comfort and truth that John’s family and friends needed. Not having any personal experience with kind of loss he knew that he would need GOD’s guidance to minister truth with mercy.

Jacks friends were a mixed bag, Frank Nusom his neighbor was a staunch Baptist and had told John regularly that he needed to repent of his sinful ways. His fishing buddy Ralph Whines was a beer guzzling, cursing, never married believer of self and everybody that knew him, knew it. Sally Mayfield from work was a heterosexual woman libber who preached woman’s equality while sleeping with any man she thought could help her get ahead.

John himself while he loved his wife and children was a self professed atheist. He put up with his wife’s faith in Jesus because he had no doubt that while Jesus might have been a good man he was not a god of any kind and so it did not matter what she believed about him. Sarah went to a contemporary church called World Vision Church, they had a very large congregation that supported the view of one world government and one world church. While she had grown up a Catholic she had always struggled with the concept of saints, angels, heaven, hell and eternal punishment. She believed that GOD who was love and benevolent would not send anyone to hell but that everyone would go to heaven except the most wicked people, like Hitler, who would just die and be no more.

John Jr. was not an atheist but he did not believe in GOD either. He liked parting with his college friends and having sex with as many women as possible. Beth was the only one who truly believed in Jesus as the Son of GOD but she was too timid to talk to her parents or brother about Him. They knew she was a Christian and went to pastor Jack’s Church, she was the one who talked her mother into asking him to officiate her father’s services.

3

The day of John’s memorial and funeral arrived four days after he passed. Most of the arrangements had been made in advance and Pastor Jack only had get everything scheduled and announced. It was a beautiful Thursday in the spring with a 1:00 memorial, a 2:30 funeral and a 3:30 wake at the World Vision Church’s hall.

The mortuary staff was very subdued and professional as always when tending to the needs of a family in grief.  After the director welcomed everyone, Pastor Jack would have a small message and then anyone who wanted would speak about John. The hearse and limo ride to the cemetery followed by the graveside service would also be short where again Pastor Jack would speak then Sarah would say a few words. Then everyone would proceed to the wake where food and tokens of appreciation were waiting.

As 1:00 approached there were about two dozen family and friends in the sanctuary, exactly at 1:00 the soft organ music stopped and the funeral director greeted those in attendance thanking them for attending John Wilcox’s memorial service and introduced Pastor Jack.

He stepped to the podium and thanked everyone for attending the memorial service for John. “Today we remember John Wilcox as family and friend, he was born on July 1^st of 1970, he served in the US Army from 1988 to 1991. He and Sarah were married in December of 1991. He is survived by his wife Sarah and children John Jr. and Elizabeth, his brother Sam and their mother Barbara.”

“John was a loving husband and father, a popular coworker and an avowed atheist. He lived his life to the fullest until he was diagnosed with cancer last year, I know he will be missed by us all. The problem with John’s passing is that he did not believe in GOD he was not an angry against GOD atheist, he just ignored GOD and the eternal life that He offers all who believe in Jesus. Sarah, John Jr., Beth, Sam, Barbara and friends of John, the comfort that we seek at a time of loss like this is only found in knowing that there is a GOD and that He had a plan for our eternal life not just our natural life. This is the only comfort that will give us peace during our time of loss and grief. If any of you have any questions I will be available to answer them after the service.”

“Now Sarah wants to say a few words and then if anyone of the family or friends would like you may take to few moments to speak about John and what he meant to you.”

Sarah came to the podium and composing herself she spoke of their love and 21 years of marriage, John’s devotion to her and their children. She told a humorous story of a camping trip when John fell into the stream while fishing from a steep bank. “He was not injured and he caught the fish.” After the laughs she thanked everyone for coming and sat down.

After a moment the director got up and asked if anyone else wanted to share. After another minute Ralph got up and talked about what a great friend John had been to him. Several times John had helped him move and he told the story of the time they tried kayak fishing from a two man kayak, never to try that again. Next Sally talked about how polite and helpful John was at work, that he never made any of the women in the office feel uncomfortable. Sam talked about some of their boyhood antics and how the first time they went fishing with their dad John just loved it and from then on when as often as he could.

When it was clear that no one else was going to get up and share the director thanked everyone on behalf of the family for attending and sharing. He told them the procession to the cemetery would leave in 20 minutes. Pastor Jack stood off to the side in case anyone had a question. While the pall bearers and staff got the casket loaded into the hearse most people stood in small groups and talked, the smokers went to the parking lot.

4

Everyone joined the procession to the cemetery and after the pall bearers carried the casket to the grave site. Once everything was in order and the family seated Pastor Jack spoke, “Family and friends of John Wilcox we are here to intern his body to what we refer to as his final resting place. But it really is not, the Bible teaches us that there will be a day when death, hell and the seas will give up the dead for a final day of judgment before GOD. That each one who has died will stand before Him and their eternity will be determined by whether they loved GOD and believed in Jesus Christ as their savior. On that day John’s body will be resurrected and made eternal and joined with his eternal soul and spirit to be one whole man again. He like all of us will then be judged from GOD’s Book of Life whether we spend our eternity in Heaven or the lake of fire. Only those who believe in Jesus will find their names written in the Book of Life and live for eternity in Heaven.”

Then he prayed, “Heavenly Father, today we ask you to search our hearts and show us where we stand before you so that on that great day of judgment we will be found in Your Book of Life. In Jesus Name, amen.” He nodded to the ground keeper would started lowering John’s casket. Once it was lowered each family member threw a handful of dirt on the casket.

Everyone started across to the parking lot for the drive to the wake, several made remarks about Pastor Jack preaching at a funeral and a couple made snide remarks about heaven and hell.

At the wake finger foods and punch were served and people sat around and talked small talk. Ralph had a case of beer on ice in his car and several people stood in the parking lot drinking. After about a half hour most people started leaving, the Right Reverend William Blessing of the World Vision Church spoke with Pastor Jack about what he said at the memorial and burial services. “I’m a little appalled that you would make people feel guilty by your single mindedness about salvation during a time like this. Even if the man was an atheist you do not know if he went to hell, if there is even such a place.” “Well actually I know for sure the John went to hell unless he confessed his sins and asked GOD to forgive him in Jesus. That is what the Bible teaches.” said Pastor Jack. “The Bible,” Reverend William scoffed, “that’s not the only source of knowledge about GOD you know.” Pastor Jack replied, “While there are other books about GOD that is the only one that is divinely inspired that teaches humanity about who GOD is, what He has done for man and what He expects of man.”

“So you believe that Jesus only stuff?” asked the Reverend, “Yes I do. If you don’t believe the Bible what do you use to study about GOD?” “Why I use the Koran and the writings of Buddha, Gandhi and others as well as the Bible.” “So you don’t believe the Bible is GOD’s divine word to humanity?” “No it was written by man not GOD.” Pastor Jack answered, “Actually all those books you mentioned were written by men, the only difference is they were written by one man each during their lifetime and the Bible was written by 40 men over a 1500 to 2000 year period and its message is the same no matter what order you put them in.” “Well if you want to believe that, that’s fine for you but I belong to a more enlightened religion.” snapped the Reverend. “That’s too bad because Jesus is the only true source of light for humanity.” “Good luck with your narrow minded thinking when you stand before GOD.” the Reverend replied. “Thanks,” said Pastor Jack, “since the Bible teaches true followers are on the straight and narrow path to Heaven.” With that the Reverend turned and headed for his office.

5

John Jr. drove his mother and sister home after having a couple of beers in the parking lot. He had been a little taken aback by what the pastor had said but some of the people were openly offended and took the liberality of alcohol to lose their tongues. Ralph being the most vocal and vulgar in his comments condemning the small minded and religious tone of the pastor’s words. Especially at the grave site where he had the audacity to imply that he needed to ask GOD for forgiveness. “After all, it was GOD who gave John cancer and caused him to die such a horrible death.”

John Jr. was not sure about GOD giving his dad cancer but didn’t the Bible say that people could be healed by prayer? His mother had said enough prayers, the universal good thoughts of the World Vision Church, even reverting to her Catholic prayers. He planned to talk to his mother later, maybe tomorrow since she was complaining about his drinking at the wake.

While Beth was sad to think that her dad would spend eternity in hell she was glad of the clear message that her pastor and spoken and asked the LORD to give her wisdom and grace when talking to her mother and brother because she planned to challenge them on their beliefs about GOD.

Sarah on the other hand was upset with John Jr. for drinking but she was really concerned about what Pastor Jack had said. Was it possible that John had gone to hell and that she would not see him in Heaven? Was it possible that she would not go to heaven? As a child she had been baptized a Catholic and had her First Communion but she did not like all that ritual, repetitive prayers and confession. The World Vision Church was so much more accepting and Reverend William never made you feel guilty for anything.

Pastor Jack drove home reviewing in his mind the events of the afternoon. He felt good about the messages he spoke even though he had heard a couple of snide remarks. But John’s neighbor Frank complimented him, “he must be a Christian” he thought. He prayed for John’s family and for Reverend William that man was walking in complete deception, he made a mental note to add him to his prayer list and to invite him to join the city’s pastor’s fellowship group, it would do him good to be around some “Bible thumpers” if he would.

Reverend Williams chuckled to himself as he locked up his office, the custodian had already cleaned the hall and locked the main buildings and security was on site. “That Pastor Jack,” he thought, “what a classic Bible thumper preaching Heaven and hell at a funeral. Did he think he would get more parishioners that way? Oh well, time to go home and have dinner.”

6

John was exhausted, in pain, hot beyond imagination and he could never get comfortable, sitting or lying down. “How long had this been going on? It seemed like an eternity.” He remembered his life and he could not understand why he was in hell. He was an atheist but unlike most he did not hate GOD he just did not believe in Him so how could he be in hell? “I don’t believe in hell!” he yelled. So if this wasn’t hell what was it, where was he? He was confused and in constant torment. It felt like he imagined hell would be like expect there were no demons with pitchforks poking him, “Thank GOD.”

All he did was walk, he never got anywhere, he never found anybody, but he constantly heard the low mumbling tone of pain and sorrow that permeated the atmosphere. “How long will this last? Forever? GOD I hope not!”

John realized that his voice was part of the oppressive sound that he heard all the time, that when he was thinking “my every thought is out loud! How? GOD help me! Are You there?” All he heard over the always present sound of despair was a sinister chuckle, like the devil was laughing at him, “but I don’t believe in the devil.”

7

Beth woke up feeling great, she was confident that today was the day of salvation for her family. As the three of them sat around the kitchen table drinking their morning drinks Beth knew that she had to tell them about Jesus but how to start the conversation. Then their mom said, “Do you think your dad went to hell? I think that is what Pastor Jack was saying yesterday.” she was looking back and forth at her children.

Beth overcome by her emotion choked back a sob as she said, “Yes, I believe dad is in hell right now.” John Jr. said, “Why, he never did anything bad to anybody. I never heard him cuss or even use Jesus’ name as a curse word. Why would GOD send him to hell?” Sarah said, “Reverend William says that no one goes to hell, that all good and honest people go the Heaven and the bad people just die and no longer exist.”

Beth cleared her throat, “The Bible says that everyone that rejects Jesus as savior and LORD will go to hell. That only those who ask GOD to forgive their sins in Jesus’ name and let His Holy Spirit guide them in life will go to Heaven.” John Jr. asked, “Where does it say that?” Beth quoted John 3:16-19, “For GOD so Loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have ever lasting life. He did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved. Those who believe in Him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they do not believe in the only Begotten Son. And this is the condemnation, that Light came into the world but men hated the light because their deeds were evil.”

Sarah nervously laughed, “But Reverend William says that Jesus is not the only way to Heaven, there are many others like Mohammad or Buddha.” Beth quickly interjected, “But, Jesus is the only one who said He would die and come back to life, all the rest are still dead and their bodies buried.” John Jr. said, “Well if you believe that really happened, but there is no evidence.”  “Yes there is,” Beth replied, “there are several historical Jewish and Roman documents that tell what happened to Jesus  and that on the third day His body was no longer in the tomb.”

“Well that’s fine and good but that doesn’t prove anything today.” John Jr. said. “True that is where faith comes in, no religion offers salvation as a gift from GOD.  They all make you earn it and with no guarantee that you will. That’s the difference, Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with the Living GOD.”

“How do you get that relationship?” Sarah asked. Beth said, “By admitting that you cannot save yourself, that you are a sinner and asking GOD to forgive you in Jesus’ name and for His Holy Spirit to come into your life and guide you in serving GOD’s Kingdom.” “That sounds like more work than just being good and not doing any evil.” Her mom said. “Maybe, but the Bible is clear that salvation is the only way to heaven and salvation is only in Jesus.”

“Well I have many things to do today. I have to find out about your father’s Social Security and pension now that I have copies of his death certificate. You two better think about getting back to school too.” Sarah said.

8

Suddenly there was a horrendous sound, indescribably frightening, John was shaking to the core of his very being, he was screaming at the top of his lungs in total panic! “What’s happening, why is everything louder, what am I afraid of?” Then a blinding light like a 1000 watt bulb was right in his face.

He felt whole, complete, he realized he had a body again and there was no longer any pain the constant sound of agony was gone. He was lying on his belly face down and the light was so bright that he still could not see anything but the light.

Then he heard the voice of GOD so thunderous that nothing else could be heard, so loving to the point of sorrow as GOD passed eternal judgment on John Wilcox for rejecting His Salvation, Jesus Christ.

John was overcome with sorrow for his sin and GOD’s just judgment, he finally understood that GOD loved him so much that He was born as a man so that He could overcome temptation and sin for humanity, so that through Jesus Christ he could have been saved from this moment of eternal condemnation.

The next thing John knew was that his life was passing before him and GOD. Then GOD spoke His final judgment for John’s lifestyle, since John had always been a good man who loved his family and helped everyone he had the opportunity too. Since he never tried to turn anyone from their belief in GOD nor ever spoke evil of GOD there was no added punishment to his eternal judgment.

John was suddenly in a great fire that burned like it was consuming him yet he never deceased or decreased he just kept burning and he knew it was forever.

How We Live!

Have you ever heard the term, “wet behind the ears”, or “just fell off the turnip truck”, or “country bumpkin”? Sayings like these reflect on a person’s naivety, they are used to imply that a person’s life experiences and understanding of life are lacking in comparison to one who was raised in the “big city.”

The reality is that every person no matter where they live or what their life experiences are, we all have the same reality and choices. We all have to live our life based on these questions: Do I believe in GOD or not? Do I live morally or not? Do I live with personal integrity or not? Do I treat other people as I want to be treated or not?

This is how every person is going to be judged by GOD:

For every person that believes and confesses Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of GOD and that He is the only way of salvation. Jesus will judge them based on how they lived their redeemed life based on these questions.

For the person who rejects salvation through Jesus, GOD will judge them for that and they will find that they are already condemned. Then GOD will judge them based on how they lived their life based on these questions.

For the person who never heard of Jesus and did not have the opportunity to believe in Him, GOD will judge him based on how he lived his life based on these questions and according to the society they lived in.

GOD does not want any person to go to hell! That is why those who lived before Jesus were held in purgatory also called Abraham’s bosom until His death. After paying the price for every person’s sin who had ever lived, who was alive at that time and all who were and will be born afterwards; on the cross; He then went to hell and preached liberty to the captives and led those who believed in Him to eternal life. All those who lived and died before the cross were judged by the same standard that we will be judged by.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that  whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For GOD so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. He did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Those who believe in Him are not condemned, but those who do not believe in the only begotten Son are condemned already. And this is the condemnation, that the Light came into the world but men rejected the Light because their hearts were evil.” John 3:14-19 my version

Psalm 19:1-4, 68:18-20; Isaiah 30:18, 42:1-9 (7); Habakkuk 2:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46 (41); Luke 4:16-21, 12:4-7, 16:19-31; John 8:2-12 (9); Romans 1:18-21, 2:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 4:1-10 (8-10); Hebrews 2:14, 9:27; 2 Peter 3 (9); Revelation 20:11-15

Doctrine and Error

Doctrine and Error!

The Water Baptism Controversy!

When I first became a Christian and went to Bible College there was a controversy about water baptism, whether to baptize in the name of Jesus or in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. There was division in the Church world over which name to baptize in and there probably still is; both camps had scriptures to back up their doctrine. I have even heard people baptize in the name of The Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit.

I haven’t thought about this in a long time because I didn’t really care, I have baptized people in the name of Jesus and in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. But recently it came to mind along with the thought that there is only One GOD, The Father; One Son, Jesus Christ and One Spirit of GOD, Holy Spirit!

Sometimes we refer to them individually and sometimes in group and sometimes we refer to all three as GOD. And all three ways are correct. That is the awesomeness of GOD He is One GOD; yet we know Him and interact with Him in three different capacities.

This sometimes causes us controversies because people want to make Him into three persons but He is One GOD. Sometimes in my prayers I find myself speaking to GOD, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit; and often I mix their attributes in the fervency of my prayer; getting tongue tied around names and attributes. But, then I think well they are the same. The One True GOD is every Old Testament name of GOD and the attributes they imply and He is every name of Jesus Christ and all the attributes they imply and He is every name of The Spirit of GOD and all the attributes they imply.

What we call GOD does not change who He is or what He does or how we should respond to Him! But, we let it! How we serve Him, what we write about Him and what we call Him tells others what we believe and if our GOD is the One True GOD or a false god.

It is sad that some people strive to be so theologically intelligent, so Biblically correct that they lose the Wisdom of GOD! The desire of some to be on the cutting edge of spiritual knowledge, striving to find hidden secrets in the Scriptures causes them to become teachers of false doctrines. The secrets of the Scriptures are not hidden to the student of the Bible if they study it as the Word of GOD. Many today understand the process of finding the secrets of the Bible that have been hidden in plain sight of the reader. When we study the history of the Scriptures, when we study the original languages in comparison to our modern languages, when we study the context that they were written in (to who and why) we will be able to see what GOD has not hidden from us but what religion has covered up in its attempts to control the Church.

Every Christian denomination has error in their doctrine, some are flagrant, some are subtle. The reason this is so is because every denomination has doctrine that separates it from all other denominations. This is error! There is no division in the Word of GOD except between Light and dark, obedience and lawlessness! Every other division is error! And error is sin!

This is why GOD commands every believer to read, study, meditate and learn His Word, The Bible. He holds each of us who claim to be a Christian, who say we are serving GOD to know and proclaim the truth and revelation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to the world where we live. He has commanded us to love one another and be in unity as He loves us and the GODhead is in unity.

Forget all of your preconceived or learned ideas about the Bible and study it for what it says about itself, because it is the Divinely inspired Word of GOD written by men under the direction of Holy Spirit.

So coming full circle this is why I started this paper about water baptism. It is one of the dividing errors because both ways are given and used in the New Testament so both ways are correct.  GOD by any of His names in the Bible is GOD!

Scriptures:

to baptize; to consecrate (by pouring out on or putting into). Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:25-26, 33, 3:22, 26, 4:1-2; Acts 1:5, 8:38, 11:16, 19:4; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17

baptizing; to baptize. Matthew 28:19; John 1:28, 31, 3:23

baptism (as a state). to be baptized, to baptize. Matthew 3:6, 13-14, 16, 20:22-23; Mark 1:4-5, 9, 10:38-39, 16:16; Luke 3:3, 7, 12, 21, 7:29-30, 12:50; John 3:23; Acts 1:5, 22, 2:38, 41, 8:12-13, 16, 36, 9:18, 47-48, 10:37, 11:16, 13:24, 16:15, 33, 18:8, 18:25-19:5, 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:13, 10:2, 12:13, 15:29; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

Controversy and mystery – 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Titus 1:10-16

Study and teach – Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15; Joshua 1:7-9; 1 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5; Titus 2; Revelation 1:1-3

Obey and Unity – John 15:9-17; 17

The Indwelling Holy Spirit

I have prayed and sang in worship many times these words, “Come Holy Spirit.” “Fill me (us) with Your presence.” “More power.” “More love.” These and similar phrases are very common in the Charismatic and Pentecostal realms of Christianity. The following may be hard for some to receive so read to the end and listen to the LORD. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says!”

Technically, the only time we should ask Holy Spirit to come into our life is when we are born again, which will happen automatically anyway. Luke 24:49 (Joel 2:28-19), 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

So when Holy Spirit came into our life He did not come in percents; some get 30%, some get 60% and some get 100%. We all get filled by The Spirit of GOD 100% when we are born again. When it comes to salvation GOD is all in! So why do we feel the need for more of His presence or power or grace or whatever we feel lacking in?

A main point here is that The LORD GOD is One GOD AND He is Triune, The Father (Abba), The Son (Jesus Christ), The Spirit of GOD (Holy Spirit). He is everywhere at all times; all things exist in Him and for His good pleasure; He knows everything; He sees everything; there is nothing hidden from Him. BUT! He has given us a freewill and He will not (cannot due to His Righteousness) over ride our free will, we can only surrender our will to Him as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It is not Holy Spirit that we are lacking in it is something in us that is displacing Holy Spirit! We almost all become a Christian with some hidden compartments, some secret cupboards, someplace we have not opened to Holy Spirit and allowed Him to come and work in us and lead us in repentance, healing and deliverance. Sometimes we are not aware of them they are so deep and hidden. Therefore we feel lacking in what we see in the Bible and some other’s lives.

I know from experience that we seek healing and deliverance through prayer, counseling, retreats, discipleship, discipline and other means spiritual and natural. I have found that only through intense prayer and fasting that seeks only the presence of The LORD have I found more room in me for Holy Spirit to fill and operate. This is not always easy, most of us cannot take 3 to 5 days off and go some place where we will not be disturbed to fast and pray and seek GOD.

So in our regular lives around our full schedule we have to find time to be dedicated to seeking GOD; ask Holy Spirit to help and guide you in this quest and He will. I tried adding fasting to my routine by fasting Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and I was mostly successful for couple of months then I just sort of stopped. I restarted and was mostly successful for several months but there was no growth in my relationship with GOD. So going to The LORD I committed to fast as I felt led and to seek Him daily in my prayer and reading time and as I have done this He has been faithful to wake me early so that I can have more personal time with Him in prayer, reading, meditating and listening. Holy Spirit has been dealing with me and speaking with me daily and that is one reason I am writing and posting more. In my time with Him, He will give me a word or a thought or a scripture will speak to me in a way it has not in the past. I know that the new revelations that He is giving me are not new except to me. GOD is not giving me new or secret revelations of His Word or Kingdom that no one else has. Be very careful of this mindset, many a Christian has fallen into error from this type of thinking.

I’m going to give one example of GOD revealing something personal to me that I was not aware of. Sorry but to get the full picture it is kind of long.

In January of 2009 I was laid off from the best job I ever had in tasks and pay. I was not worried about finding a job I had never had a problem getting a job in 30 years. It was about time for me to get my hair cut as it was getting over my ears and to my collar, I decided and announced that I was not going to cut my hair until I got a job, thinking it would not be very long. But it was, I got my first job interview in November on 2009 and Charlene trimmed my hair. I did not get the job and I did not get another job interview until May of 2011, I got the job but by that time I liked having a ponytail and did not think of cutting my hair, in fact from time to time I would refer to my hair as the sign of my rebellion. That job lasted about 100 days and I got laid off by the new owners of the company. I got a temporary job in December of 2011 and started working fulltime in January of 2012. During this whole time I was in rebellion against GOD actually going back to 1997. In 2012 we started going to a small Church in El Cajon where we were now living and GOD started calling me to repentance and I started my climb out of the dark back into His Light. The LORD started to speak to me of my calling which is to teach. In 2015 I retired because my wife needed me to be home with her for health reasons and I enjoy retirement. I had repented to GOD and to my wife for my previous lifestyle but we have struggled relationally and financially. In the fall of 2017 as I was seeking GOD I was reading in Acts about the vows that Paul and others had taken and as I was meditating on this Holy Spirit revealed that I had made a vow and never fulfilled it. He told me I had made a vow to cut my hair after I got a job, in fact I had two jobs and had retired and not cut my hair. So I obeyed and told my wife what I was doing and we cut my hair. Our daughter cut off my ponytail, my wife cut my hair to about an inch long and I cut it to a butch. I’ve started growing my hair but I feel The LORD wants me to keep it to my pre 2009 style. The first time I went to Church after I cut my hair people commented and asked so I stood before the congregation and told the story of my vow. During our ministry time one of the women in our Church who has a prophetic gifting and ministry, literally crying told me that the LORD told her that this was the beginning of His restoring my wife and I to His purpose and call for us. And He is faithful as He has been doing His work in both of us along this path.

All this to say that it can be the smallest thing and we have to be humble and obedient to what Holy Spirit is telling us if we want to be filled as He wants to fill us.

Just a couple more scriptures about Holy Spirit:

The Kingdom of GOD is righteousness, peace and joy in Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17.

Life is in Holy Spirit, Romans 8:1-11.

Sonship is in Holy Spirit, Romans 8:12-17.

Holy Spirit tells us the things GOD has given us, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16.

Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation, Ephesians 1:13-14.

Holy Spirit dwells in us, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, James 4:5.

Why Do We Struggle With The Works Of GOD?

Why Does The Church Not Have The Power To Do The Works Of The Great Commission?

Which are to:

Preach the gospel to every tribe, tongue, nation and people.

Lay hands on the sick and see them recover.

Cast out demons.

Raise the dead.

Make Christ’s enemies His footstool.

Disciple the nations of this world into His Kingdom.

So we know that it is GOD’s will to save people, to heal people, to deliver people from oppression, bondage, lies and deceptions and demonic activity, to make disciples of individuals and nations and to see His enemies defeated by His Church. So why do we not see this happening in the world on the scale that we see it in Acts?

One reason was discussed in our home group the other night; we were discussing healing specifically; we try to coerce or manipulate GOD, even shaming Him into doing something so that He will be glorified, or other people will see and become saved or the person is so deserving for some reason or the other, etc. Sometimes even the correct perspective is used in a manipulative way, we pray for the person or situation because of GOD’s Love or His will, but in such a way or heart attitude that we are trying to force GOD to do it now.

Another reason is that we the believer are not in the close personal relationship with GOD that we should be. We may know some Bible verses that we have heard preached or taught on but not really understand what GOD is implying for our life and calling. Sometimes we might just be having a bad day personally and just going through the motions, hoping GOD has mercy so we can get on with dealing with our own stuff.

Another reason is that it is not GOD’s timing and purpose at that moment but because we are not in a deep personal relationship with Him we do not hear Holy Spirit telling us how to pray or council. Sometimes we are trying to get GOD to do something that we know is His will; like healing because Jesus was scourged for our healing and He commanded us to lay hands on the sick and see them recover; but we are trying to convince Him now is the time, or we don’t want to be embarrassed if He doesn’t do it, etc.

So what is the answer? There is no one answer! Every situation is different.

Sometimes it may be that we do not know the person or anything about them and we are trying to get GOD to do something for that person that He will or cannot do. We may never know why GOD is not doing as we ask or demand, there may be something in the person’s life that prevents them from receiving the grace of GOD. This is where having a deep personal relationship with GOD is important, if our focus is only on getting Him to do what we ask we probably will not hear Him speak to us information we need to proceed. When the disciples could not cast the epileptic spirit from the young man and they asked Jesus why they were not able to do so; He told them because of their unbelief and that that kind only came out with prayer and fasting. This is a key that our life should be one of dedication to GOD, one of prayer, fasting and knowing His Word (not just memorization but discernment of its truths and applications).

What about timing? After Pentecost when Holy Spirit filled the believers and empowered them to do the works of the Kingdom, Peter and John were going to the temple to pray one afternoon and they saw a lame beggar by the gate Beautiful, this man was lame from birth and was over 40 years old. How many times had Jesus come to the temple and never healed him was it possible that every time that Jesus came to the temple that the man was not there begging? Yes, but not probable, but that the works of GOD should be revealed in the Church He left that man until Peter and John could lay hands on him and heal him in the name of Jesus.

Remember, Jesus introduced us to the works of GOD, not just by what He did but also by teaching. When He healed the man born blind on a Sabbath day, just before He healed him the disciples asked Jesus was the man born blind because of his sin in the womb or some sin of his parents. Jesus answered them that neither the man nor his parents had sinned but His blindness was to reveal the works of GOD. What? GOD caused this man to be born blind and live as a beggar so that He could reveal the works of His Kingdom? NO! The man was born blind because there is sin in the world because of man’s rebellion and lawlessness, GOD does not need to put any disease on any person, it comes naturally in a fallen sinful world where the devil has domain.

Here is what I mentioned about understanding the Bible, to discern its truths and their application to life. John chapter 9 is the story of Jesus healing the man born blind, it is quite a story, read the statements of the man to the religious leaders in verses 24-34, he was not some poor ignorant blind beggar. He understood the Law and the Prophets and he schooled the religious leaders for their ignorance and sin of pride. But that is not my main point, chapter 10 is the chapter about the Good Shepherd. Jesus reveals Himself as the True shepherd sent from GOD, when the Jews took up stones He asked told them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” So follow this chain of scriptures, “Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of GOD should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ‘”…”And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say ,”We see’” Therefore your sin remains.’”… “The Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.’”…“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”…“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. ‘My sheep hear My voice and follow Me.’ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them our of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”…”Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You being a Man, make Yourself GOD.’”…”If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me, but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.” (John 9:3-4, 39-41, 10:7, 9, 17-18, 26-34, 37-39)

This is what I am referring to when I say we must know what the scripture says and how it applies to our life and the world we live in. There is so much rich truth in these two chapters, yet I am trying to keep my focus to the point. These two chapters are about revealing the works of GOD to the Hebrews first by healing a man born blind, second by revealing that Jesus was the Great Shepherd who was spoken of often in the Psalms and Prophets, that those who believe in Him will have eternal life and that no one or nothing can take those who believe in Him from Him or The Father. But you have probably never heard them taught as one continuous event and conversation with the people. But they are! Read the Bible with the understanding that the chapter and verse separations were added centuries later! When we understand the context of continuous thought and what the meaning was to those involved then we will have a better understanding of how it applies to our life and society. Then we will better be able to discern when someone is misquoting or teaching what the Word says and means.

So have I answered my original question? Somewhat, there is much that we do not understand because GOD is GOD and we are His creation and in our limited human capacity we will never fully understand many things of GOD and His Kingdom. When we are in our eternal body living in His eternal Kingdom then we will know all there is to know. In the mean time there is much study, meditation, prayer, fasting and doing that we have to be about.

A Political Prophecy for the 2018 Elections

A Political Prophecy for the 2018 Elections                                                               April 11, 2018

While I was praying for our nation and government I felt Holy Spirit quicken a thought that I felt was prophetic so I wrote it down.

The Church under the guidance of Holy Spirit will elect those who GOD wants elected in the 2018 mid-term elections in both Federal and State elections and the conservatives will continue to hold the majority in the Congress (both houses).

The liberals who have lied their way through the last four years of politics will still not be able to admit the truth but will hunker down until the 2020 elections when they will come out with a new strategy.

I believe (I have not heard a sure word from GOD) that the conservatives will win in 2020 and 2022. After that ?

Bob Headrick

John The Baptist

The Life of John The Baptist

In the days of Herod, the king of Judea a priest named Zacharias of the division of Abijah, his wife was also a descendent of Aaron, her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before GOD walking blameless in all the commandments and ordinances of the LORD. They had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was that while he was serving as priest before GOD in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the LORD. All of the people were outside praying at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the LORD appeared to Zacharias standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him he was troubled and afraid, the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zacharias for your prayer is heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the LORD, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the LORD their GOD. He will go before the Christ in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.” Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this for I am an old man and my wife is well advanced in years?” The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of GOD and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. Therefore you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

The people waited for Zacharias and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. When he came out he could not speak to them and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he motioned to them and remained speechless. So as soon as the days of his service were completed he departed to his own house. When his wife Elizabeth conceived she hid herself five months saying, “The LORD has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me to take away my reproach among people.”

Mary the betrothed of Joseph rose and went into the hill country to a city of Judah and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why is this granted to me that the mother of my LORD should come to me? For indeed as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the LORD.”

Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the LORD had shown great mercy to her they rejoiced with her. So it was on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child and they would have called him Zacharias after his father. His mother said, “No he shall be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is named John.” So they made signs to Zacharias what he would have him named. He motioned for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” so they all marveled. Immediately Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed and he spoke praising GOD and prophesied saying, “Blessed is the LORD GOD of Israel for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham. To grant us that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. You child will be called the prophet of the Highest for you will go before the face of the LORD to prepare His way, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercy of our GOD, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Then fear came on all who dwelt around them and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. All those who heard kept these things in their hearts saying, “What kind of child will this be?” The hand of the LORD was with the child so John grew and became strong in spirit and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

There was a man sent from GOD whose name was John this man came to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe. He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Now John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests, the word of GOD came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness and he went into all the region around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all humanity shall see the salvation of GOD.’”

The people were in expectation and all reasoned in their hearts about John whether he was the Christ or not. The testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to asks Him, “Who are you?” John confessed, “I am not the Christ!” And they asked him, “What then are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” he answered, “No.” So they asked him, “Who are you, we have to give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say for yourself?” John said, “I am, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’ Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees, and they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, or Elijah or the prophet?” John answered, “I baptize with water but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” These things were done near Bethabara beyond the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent Him saying, “I need to be baptized by You and are You coming to me?” Jesus answered, “Permit it to be so, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John baptized Jesus, immediately when Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened to Him and He saw The Spirit of GOD descending like a dove and alighting on Him. Suddenly a voice from Heaven said, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased.”

The day after Jesus returned from His temptations John saw Him coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me for He was before me.’ I did not know Him only that He should be revealed to Israel, for this reason I was sent baptizing with water. I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and He remained upon Jesus. I did not know Him but GOD who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘On whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testify that Jesus is the Son of GOD.” The following day John stood with two of his disciples and looking at Jesus as He walked he said, “See the Lamb of GOD!”

After those days Jesus and His disciples went into the land of Judea and there He remained with them and baptized, He did not baptize but His disciples did. John was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there and people came and were baptized for John had not yet been thrown into prison. When the LORD knew that the Pharisees had heard that He made and baptized more disciples than John, though Jesus Himself did not baptize but His disciples, He left Judea and went again to Galilee.

To all the evils Herod had done he added this above all for He had sent John to prison for the sake of Herodias; his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her and John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him but she could not for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, so he protected him and listened to him whenever he could.

An opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers and the chief men of Galilee. When Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask me I will give you up to half my kingdom.” So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” her mother said, “The head of John the Baptist!” Immediately the girl came in to the king saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was exceedingly sorry yet because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded John’s head to be brought. So they beheaded John in prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of it they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb and went and told Jesus.

Matthew 3:13-17, 14:1-12; Mark 1:9-11, 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 57-80, 3:21-22, 9:7-9; John 1:6-9, 19-36, 3:22-24

The Sermons of John The Baptist

All Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to John and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance and do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that GOD is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees, therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

So the people asked him saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered them, “He who has two tunics let him give to him who has none and he who has food let him do likewise.” Then tax collectors came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Likewise the soldiers asked him saying, “What shall we do?” He said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or falsely accuse and be content with your wages.”

After those days Jesus and His disciples went into the land of Judea and there He remained with them and baptized, He did not baptize but His disciples did. John was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there and people came and were baptized for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan of whom you have testified, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him!” John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven. You yourselves bear witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. For this joy of mine to be fulfilled He must increase and I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all and he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all and what He has seen and heard that He testifies and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that GOD is true. For He whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD, for GOD does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life for the wrath of GOD abides on him.”

Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; John 3:25-36

What Jesus Said About John

Now it came to pass when Jesus finished commanding His disciples that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the coming One or do we look for another?” Jesus answered, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see” The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

As they departed Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who wear soft garment are in king’s houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes I say to you and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before you.’ Assuredly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you were willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” When all the people heard Him even the tax collectors justified GOD having been baptized with the baptism of John. The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of GOD for themselves not having been baptized by him. The LORD said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another saying, ‘We played the flute for you and you did not dance; we mourned to you and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread or drinking wine and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But Wisdom is justified by all her children.”

“There is another who bears witness of Me and I know that His witness of Me is true. You have sent to John and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. I have a greater witness than John’s.”

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the Kingdom of GOD has been preached and everyone is pressing in and it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”

Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:24-35, 16:16-17; John 5:31-36a