Now I will avow, that I then believe that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System. President John Adams wrote this letter on June 28, 1813, excerpt from a letter to Thomas Jefferson.
Tag: john
It’s Only Make Believe! John 3:16
Conway Twitty co-composed a song back in 1958 that went to the top of the charts as the number one song and held this rank for two years! The theme of the song was that he wished and prayed that this girl would love him as he loved her but finally realized that her love for him was only make believe! No matter how much he loved her she did not care about him. If you are human or even divine you have experienced this in your life. You wanted to believe in someone or something only to find a betrayal by that person or system. After all your love and affection was extracted from you an emptiness entered your soul. Human relationships are fragile at best! However there is a love greater than any human love! God’s motive for loving you is that He is simply love! Yes and He loved you so much that He became flesh! If you accept His love then you will find His love deeper than any ocean! In our spiritual relationship you can love the one that hates you through default! If you stay in the default mode you express your affection to the one who wants to destroy you! You can make believe about any man made system of religion but only to find in the end you are deceived and forsaken! Believe in the one true God Christ who gave His life for you and loved you before you ever loved Him and even before your love for Him was only make believe! In Christ’s Love! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46
The word Gethsemane is a Hebrew word that means an oil press. Gethsemane was an olive garden with olive trees with an olive press most likely located on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Have you ever been severely pressed in your soul, mind and body? Ever feel like you are being squeezed to death? Combat soldiers in battle experience this as death knocks at the door. If you were being executed for a crime you committed you could rationalize that I deserve it. If you were being executed for a crime you did not commit would you voluntarily step forward for execution? That is what Jesus did for you! Jesus and His disciples entered the garden late at night. Cold and darkness surrounded them as Roman soldiers were in the hunt for them. Jesus takes Peter, James and John into the interior of the garden with him to pray. While Jesus prays he becomes exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! Let this cup pass from me but if not your will be done. Meanwhile the disciples fall asleep? Jesus cautions his disciples to watch and pray and not to enter into temptation for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus prays again the second time the same prayer. The disciples fall into sleep again! Jesus prays again the third time the same prayer. Then the Chief Priest, elders and soldiers come and take him away. In Jewish culture if you say something three times that is the most you can say it. Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? On the third day Jesus rose from the dead! Three strikes and your out. Jesus spoke to the mountain on the mountain three times and then He let God’s will and providence for His life and purpose be done! Let not our prayers be a fire escape but let His will for our lives be done so that others may benefit! When olives are squeezed they produce oil which is used for light and heat. Jesus was squeezed so you could have light in the dark world we live in. Jesus was, is and always will be the light of the world! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Leadership!
Wisdom! You can never rise higher than Leadership! Source; John Maxwell.
Hall of Fame or Hall of Flame? Matthew 11:11, 19:25
Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!” Comments; John the Baptist had a very important role in prophecy to usher in Christ. He as we have had plenty of opportunities to deny Christ and he could have saved his neck from Herod’s chopping block! But his mission was bigger than himself! Is your mission bigger than yourself? Or is your mission all about you? Later on in Matthew 19:25, Jesus explained to his disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven! The disciples threw in the towel and gave up and asked Jesus who can be saved? Jesus explained to them that with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible! I have learned over the years that sometimes our evangelism efforts seem not to work but when we turn people over to God and not play God great things happen! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Ukraine Priests Take Stand On Firing Line!
Yes, Ukrainian Priests are joining the revolt against Russian rule and are fighting for independence! Did you know that of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence 27 of them were trained Pastors! There was also a great revival going on in the Colonies at that time. Did you also know that the first shots fired in the American revolution were fired by Pastors and church members! Let me quote American History for you: On April 19, 1775, British troops, some 800 strong, were dispatched to Concord, Massachusetts, to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock and to seize a cache of weapons stored in Concord. When Dr. Joseph Warren sent Paul Revere to warn Pastor Jonas Clark (in whose house Adams and Hancock were staying) that the Crown’s troops were on their way to arrest the two men and seize the guns at Concord, he alerted the Church members of about 60-70 men from the Church of Lexington. The Church members stood on Lexington Green waiting for the Red Coats. Upon spotting the citizen soldiers a British officer demanded they lay down their arms. They refused and the British opened fire! The colonist returned fire and eight were killed and there begins the shot heard round the world! Unquote. History is filled with Christians fighting for freedom! Pastor Martin Luther King was probably the greatest freedom fighter in my generation! If you study our Declaration of Independence you will see it is full of Bible Theology and has a Biblical foundation! Our prayers for the Ukrainian people and their struggle for Independence from tyranny and Dependence upon God! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tribute To Captain David Lyons USAF 1985-2013
One of our very own Captain David Lyons was celebrated at the memorial service today in Colorado Springs at New Life Church. The military protocol was moving as hundreds of Air Force Academy Cadets and other military members attended the services along with New Life church members. Captain David Lyons was killed in action last month in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber. Other military members were killed and injured in the attack along with some NATO troops. David was a star athlete at the Air Force Academy and still holds the Idaho High School State record for the shot put throw. He was adopted and took on his adopted parents name. His wife Dana is also an Air Force Academy graduate and serves in the Air Force. It is so encouraging to see military members and church members support their fallen hero’s and their families. I want to give you a famous quote by Charles Province which was given at the memorial service. It reads as follows;” It is the Soldier, not the minister who gives us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier, not the reporter who gives us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet who gives us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer who gives us freedom to protest. it is the Soldier, not the lawyer who gives us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, not the politician who has given us the right to vote. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and Who’s coffin is draped by the flag!” Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, That a man lay down his life for his friends!” The word friends translates from the Greek as neighbor. Remember in Mark Chapter 12 the scribes asked Jesus which is the greatest Commandment? Jesus answered, “”Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength. Then the second is to love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no greater Commandment than these!” David did lay down his life for his neighbor’s which represents millions of American’s and millions of people in Afghanistan! We must also recognize a distinction here. David laid down his life to save others! The suicide bomber laid down his life to destroy others! There are two separate eternities for each. There are two sides of the fence here. In one eternity David is joined with Christ the one he lived and died for! The suicide bomber who died to bring death to others is separated from God forever in the fires of hell! Two different outcomes created by two different choices! Choose this day who you will serve! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tribute To Vietnam War Veterans ! John 15:13
I graduated from high school in the summer of 1967. About 250 young men were being killed every week in Vietnam. I was ordered to report to my draft board in the summer of 1967. They asked me if I intended to go to college? They told me if I went to college 4 years and kept up my grades they would defer military service until after college. I thought this was strange? Should not everyone have to go as in previous wars? If you exempt some this will cause divisions in our culture! There is an old saying among my generation during the Vietnam war. It says the chickens went to college and the Eagles went to war! I decided to join the chickens. It was a big flock and plenty of bird brains in college during the war! Hundreds of new colleges sprung up all over America overnight with majors in basket weaving! To give exemptions to hundreds of thousands of college students was a big mistake! Any culture will be united if they are all making equal sacrifices in the war effort. I never demonstrated one day against the Vietnam war. If you play chicken the least you could do is support the Eagles! Things got worse! Martin Luther King assassinated in 1968 and then Bobby Kennedy! Race riots in every major city across America! The Tet offensive in Vietnam escalated the war. Our veterans returning from Vietnam were disrespected? At the end of the war with over 50000 killed and tens of thousands wounded what good can come out of this? Do not forget over 100000 Vietnam veterans commited suicide after coming home! In World war II everyone participated in the war effort! Vietnam veterans were just as courageous and exceptional in their service to our nation! History will show it was not the wrong war but the wrong approach to the war by our leaders. The same problem exists in our voluntary military today! Today only a small percentage of our population is involved in the war effort so most of the culture is disengaged from the war! Over the years I was always looking for something good out of the Vietnam war? Some think that the Berlin Wall coming down some 20 years later was due to financial expenditures the Soviets made fighting through proxy against us in Vietnam? As I watched several hours of combat film of the Vietnam war I began to see a pattern! As hundreds of helicopters picked up the dead and wounded American’s from the battle field I noticed the wounded who were still conscious were not concerned about their own wounds but concerned about their fellow comrades! They would say things like,”Who will protect my buddies if I am not there to defend them?” Who will help my brothers? Who will help them if I am not able? The Vietnam American veterans were not dying for a political philosophy or for the democratic or republican party! They were dying for each other! Jesus put it best in John 15:13 when he said,”Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” That was what Jesus did for you and all humanity! When you pass by a Vietnam veteran tell him, “Thankyou.” James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Surprised By Joy!
This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent helps us to shape and impact our culture. The Christmas story is ripe with revelation! Luke1:30 The angel appears to Mary! Of all the Prophets Isaiah had the most revelation about the coming Messiah! Isaiah Chapter 9. Isaiah focused on this Prophetic message. We have a gap of time between the old and new testament of 400 years. It is sometimes called the years of silence. About as much time as the Jews were in slavery in Egypt. No Prophets spoke and no further revelation was given during these silent years. The stage was set at the end of the old testament and the curtain was drawn. Is God silent in your life? Have you been listening for Him or just too busy? Then after 400 years of darkness the curtain is split in two! Light appears from darkness! At a time least expected! God will surprise you! Do you have an expectation from Him? God came into my life when I least expected it! Has He come for you? Advent is about Him coming to you! Do you need to welcome Him? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the East following His star showed up in Jerusalem. King Herod heard about this and was very disturbed! He was rattled! Herod was jealous! King Jesus was a direct threat to him. Herod the Great was from Idumea and was a descendant of the Edomites who were the family of Esau. These descendants of Esau were always attacking Jacob’s family. Remember Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the Edomites vanished from history. Herod ordered an abortion of all the children two years old and younger and knives thrust into the bellies women that were pregnant. Yes, the Devil believes in Christmas! The world worships power, position and influence. Not much room for a baby. It is interesting how God uses vulnerable people to accomplish His work! God uses two pregnant women to prepare the way for the Savior of the world! Do you qualify as vulnerable? Homeless, pregnant, broken, betrayed, on dope, rejected, divorced or disabled? Are you without hope? Then you qualify for God to use you in a big way! He is looking for people who will be testimonies for Him! Pass the test and trust God at His Word! The baby Elizabeth was carrying(John the Baptist), leaped for Joy in her womb when Elizabeth heard the news from Mary about her visitation and God’s plan for the King and Son of God to be born by her! Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit! Luke 1:39-41. Do not try to live without the Holy Spirit for He gives you the power to live a victorious life! Without the Holy Spirit you will be like the Pharisee’s who knew about God but did not know Him! Luke 2:25-26. Next an old vulnerable man named Simeon who was just and devout got surprised by the Holy Spirit with Joy and was told he would not die until he has seen the Christ. Luke 2: 36-38. Here we see Anna a Prophetess and widow most of her life who served in the Temple get surprised with Joy! Do you lack surprise? Is life dull and routine? Hopeless? Broken dreams? Remember Joy is a gift! God does not just give joy but He is Joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy! Joy is not happiness. Our Constitution says we have the right to pursue happiness! Happiness you have to pursue or try to chase down by your own efforts! It depends on the economy, politicians, health, ect. Joy is a gift and never earned! The price has been paid for you! Galatians 5:22. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are the enemies of Joy? Pride, self, criticism, sarcasm, ect. Do you find fault with everything? Do you leave any room for beauty? No room for Jesus in your Inn? Have you been wounded or hurt by someone? See the beauty of God! No one on earth loves you like Him! He will never leave you or forsake you! He is different from us! I am not offering you a Christian but Christ Himself! Never lose your fascination, awe and wonder for Him! Go for beauty and be surprised by Joy! Joy is a person and not a benefit! The Holy Spirit is a person! The benefits come with the person and not apart from Him! Psalm 16:8-11. Do not get fixed on our cultural problems. Important but not your focus! Rather than be a student of culture be a Worshipper of God! Set the Lord before you. Have fullness of Joy and pleasures forevermore! You can hear bad news but still have Joy. Turn off the news networks this season and enter into His rest! Focus on Christ! Spend time with Him! The word time means, :”To Honor.” Psalm 16:9 Rest in Hope! My heart is glad and rejoices. Joy is an inside job! Your body rests secure. An external God who gives internal pleasure. From without to within! Joy comes at unusual times and unusual places through unusual persons! Is your heart prepared to be surprised by Joy? Source; Sermon notes taken from message given by Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday December 15, 2013.
The Respectful Are Respected! 1 Timothy 5:1-4
Instructions from God for a good outcome in your life! Respect elders. Encourage elders. Treat the younger as your brothers and sisters. Care for widows. What happens inside our homes counts! Important! The Christian home is the alternative community that is opposite to the dark, broken dysfunctional world that we live in. Politicians just reflect our broken culture. Church should be different. Debt free and living for others! Live more responsible with more to give away! Problem is the world does not see us any different from them. Just reminds them of themselves and what they hate. We must reinvent a new way of living. When the Church lives most unlike the world it has it’s greatest impact of reaching the world for Christ. Honor those in front of us. The older are farther along and have met things we have not. Wisdom comes from God and through time! Remember the word time means “to honor.” Old is gold. American culture spends between 90-100 Billion dollars each year for anti-aging gimmicks. Hopeless and expensive ways to try to stay young. The Bible teaches that grey hair is a gift from God. The elderly have great opportunities to help the younger. Many of the young today do not know how to ask questions. Be responsible to help widows. Seek out widows in need. John 19:25-27. Take care of your mother. With all the suffering and pain of the Cross and near death Jesus thought about his mother. A disciple took her from the execution place to care for her in his home. Why did not James take care of her? Mary was also his mother. If you read Acts Chapter 12 you will see James was killed a short time later. Joseph her husband had already passed away. Mary was vulnerable and Jesus saw it. John was the older disciple. Take care of a widow not related to you. James 1:27. Pure religion is to take care of widows and orphans and to keep your heart pure. Be family for them. Do 3 things. Find a widow. Look for them. Find, love and serve them. If you do you will come back here one year later and be a changed person. Joy and peace will enter into you. Honor your parents. Repay your parents. Practice your religion. Look not at them as a burden. Ask them how you can help them. Problem is not all parents are honorable. You could have had dysfunctional and abusive parents. Romans 12:17-18. Repay evil for evil? No! Do not become who you hate! Live at peace with everyone. Forgive. Break the cycle of family violence. Honor parents who are not honorable. Ephesians 6:2. Honor your Father and Mother and life will go well with you. The peace of God will accompany obedience. As a parent myself I do not always get it right. Neither will you. You get one shot in life at parenting. Parents work hard and then kids are gone. When we forgive we give away what we get back. Parents do the best they can at the time. Would we do differently if we could do over again? Yes. God gives us His Grace! Source; Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given on Sunday, October 13, 2013. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com