A HYMN OF PRAISE TO OUR GOD

Our King, Creator and Lord of the Universe, all Creation worships You. All who are called by Your Name, most gracious Yahweh, stand in awe of You and one day, every knee shall bow, even those lost to perdition and cry out - Jesus Christ is Lord.

Father, as we come to the final week of what has to be the swiftest month ever, we stand grateful that You delivered us from the dominion of darkness, into the Kingdom of Your marvelous light.

While we were lost in our transgressions and stuck in the filthy miry clay, of rebellion, stubbornness and sin, like even some who call themselves Christians today, You turned to us and heard our cries. 
While we waited patiently, You brought us up from the desolate pit.

While we were sinking in the quicksand of a vortex of sin, You set our feet upon a rock

You put a new song in our mouths. A hymn of praise to our God.

You put a new birth of freedom in our hearts. We rejoice, oh we rejoice.

You put a blanket of shalom over our troubled souls. You are the balm of Gilead

You put our bitterness aside and cause us to run to You. Then Jesus came.

Jesus came, oh Lord, and set us free

Jesus came, oh joy and happy are we

Jesus came, when the dark night threatened hopeless and fear

Jesus came, and fill our hearts with His loving care.

Lord, we are not proud. We are delight in You. We will sing mightily of Your wondrous works. We will tell the world, from the rooftops, even the mountaintops, of the great things You have done for us. 

Your plans will not be thwarted. No man can defeat You. No devil or his demons can place obstacles or bad people in Your Way. 

You are for Your Elect, dear Holy One of Israel. Your Eyes runneth to and fro across the whole earth in search of those few who remain loyal to You. Lord, here we are - send us. We have overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonials to a lost and dying world of what a good, good Father You are. There is none like You. There is none like You.

So as we come to the end of one and the start of another, help us to remember that Time is in Your Hands. Our Time is in Your Hands.  Eternity draweth nigh. Help us to not play games, to not sin or become narcissists and to not bring shame upon Your Holy Name.

Give us wisdom and direction, day by day, as the times are evil and we never know what one day would bring or the next. May we always trust You completely in everything we do, say, or think and may it all be for the Glory of God, Who sits on the Throne with the Mighty Savior, the Lord Jesus at His Side, in His Name I pray, amen.

PRAYER TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR FATHER'S DAY 2021

Oh Great Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You that You are the God Who calls us unto Yourself, depraved sinners though we are, who can be redeemed only by the Precious Blood of Your dear Son, the Savior.

You are a Father to the Fatherless. You are the Hope to the Hopeless. You welcome the Loveless. You comfort the brokenhearted. You bind up the wounded. You are the Almighty and Everlasting Father and keeper of our souls.

Lord, as we approach a time where the world celebrate Fathers, on Father’s Day, we know that many today grew up with missing dads or single moms. In Your mercy, grace and compassion, You never moved but many…in fact, more and more are moving away from You, as the follow the corrupt systems and ideologies of this world. We pray that the scales may fall of their eyes, in so much that while this perverse and corrupt generation of leaders are turning the hearts of the majority towards the god of this world, to their pending doom, You remain seated High and Lifted up in the Heavens with Your loving Arms wide open.

You’re so good that even Jesus, Who did not consider equality with You a thing to be grasped, gave up His Throne and the Scriptures says in Hebrews 5:8 that He obeyed You, even while He suffered, as He came to accomplish You Will, and not even His.

So now, dear Heavenly Father, while You loved this cosmos so much You gave Your Own Son, in so much that whosoever believeth in Him would have everlasting, eternal life, we are the “whosoever”.

In Your Great Grace, Almighty God, Who shakes the heavens, cause the seas to roar and still pastes the real rainbow on the matchless sky after the rains in a display of Your Majestic Power, we pray that today, this week, this month and while it is called NOW, we pray and ask a special measure of grace.

You have already given us all we need in the form of God, the Holy Spirit, and now we ask for a turbo boost of supernatural power to execute and fly to our next phase in spiritual maturity. But Lord, help us as we grow in grace, and dunamis and boldness for the gospel, help us that this goes hand in Hand with Delight and Joy.

Our Faith is the one TRUE Faith ever, in all the universe. Because of our redemption, dear Father, we can delight in You. We delight in Your Truth. We delight in Your Word. We delight in Your Son. We delight in the Holy Spirit – God Three in One and the gates of hell cannot steal our Joy, far less prevail. The overflowing blessedness from this delight, should empower those of us who are fathers, and who represent You on earth to our children, grandchildren and those around us, to find rest, peace, love and joy in You as well.

Spur us now and always to the heights of holiness that our piety may bring Godly pleasure because our true Hope really is our happiness. What some may call our duty, is really our delight in serving You this day and always, proving, dear God, that the root and the flower are as intertwined in its blooming such as delighting in You is and the doctrine of our Faith. Lord, to that end, we bow before You in all humility, commitment and submission to Your Almighty Power in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, in His Name, amen and amen.

CONSIDER THIS: LIBERTY

 "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery….Galatians 5:1.

CONSIDER THIS: No matter how many times, or to how many generations the concept of GRACE – the free unmerited favor and Gift of God – is explained, fleshly humans think THEY have not just the answers but the means to acquiring their own redemption or salvation! Because of this, they put themselves back under the bondage of Judgment by the Law!

ACTION: Hence, today, if you hear His Voice, repent and turn from your sins. Then, like a little child would, ask forgiveness….all the while both pleading and praising Him, that He gave you ALL – He gave you complete, unfettered Liberty and Freedom through Christ Jesus, the Lord!

Father thank You, thank You so very much for saving me from the bondage of sin which kept me away from You and my eternal destiny, until I encountered the liberating Truth of the Gospel. Praise the Great Name of the Lord, Who came to set the captives free, of whom I am one. I am eternally grateful that You pursued, rescued and personally grabbed me from the fiery pit, set my feet upon the rock and put a NEW song in my mouth, a hymn of Praise to our God. Bless Your Holy Name and hallelujah, praise You forever, Lord, in Jesus Holy Name, amen.

ROMANS 3:16 - UPCOMING COURT DATE IN GOD'S COURTROOM

Destruction and misery are in their paths (Romans 3:16)

The message from the practitioners of modern cultural Christianity is that God is all love and any harsh judgment is “Old Testament” stuff. In fact, one of the most popular Evangelical preachers in America, Andy Stanley (son of the more Biblically grounded Dr. Charles Stanley) in fact has gone further than most of his seeker sensitive counterparts. To be sure, he is more honest than his modern megachurch peers and called for the complete ignoring of the Old Testament, so that “young people/millennials etc.” would not walk away from the church. They would instead concentrate on the teachings of Jesus only.  

The other megachurch pastors simply ignore the full counsel of God and are concentrating more on personal gleanings of Social Justice Teachings rather than the Full Counsel of God found in 66 Books of the Bible. They dabble in tangential topical sermonettes designed to make their congregations feel “welcome” or at ease or comfortable while doing eternal harm to the souls of their congregants, just to avoid taking a real stand for the Truth

Because the emphasis in modern cultural Christianity is to ignore sin, repentance, and judgment, we find the growth in numbers of these kinds of churches which are a mile wide and an inch deep.

However, God is not a man and He is holy. His Word is clear. The shortcomings of human beings will be addressed both in this life and in the one to come. From the time the first man sinned, as recorded in Genesis Chapter 3, we have been on a downward spiral which will, one day, require the Commander in Chief of Heaven’s Armies, to step off the Throne and finally end it all. This will occur right before the start of the 1000 Year Millennial Kingdom reign of Jesus, from His literal Throne in Jerusalem.

God has given us more than ample warnings. He had His emissary, the Apostle Paul, pen the Book of Romans to warn us of the Problems and the deadly Crimes against Him. The Book of Romans then shows us the way to Salvation (Chapter 6). It shows us how to live in victory (Chapter 8) and be transformed, both personally and corporately (Chapters 10-12). The rest of the Book of Romans demonstrates how to live, pray for and fellowship on the earth until we are called home. This is the Book of the Bible which God used to transform a monk named Martin Luther and then officially kick off the Reformation and return to Biblical Christianity.

The 3:16 verse of the Book of Romans should scare everyone, even the saved, sanctified and righteous who are walking close to the Lord.  It comes after two and a half chapters of strong warnings from God, Who has described in detail, the corruption and perversion of this current world we see…times a hundred! A lot of liberal church denominations do not even preach from Romans Chapter 1, especially from verses 18 to 32. It is almost like they are “ashamed of the Gospel” (Romans 1:16).

Christians will do well to not just heed, but read the following from Romans Chapters 1:18 to 3:16 to get the incredibly fearsome basis of what the charge against mankind will be in the future. This future is fast approaching as billions of humans stand before God on Judgment Day.  There is no time limit and all will answer, including you and I. The key for us is to have as little negative, for which to answer, by living for Christ with a lifetime of Faith and Good Works.

This is not possible until we understand the list of indictments God has against all people, even those who are now saved and rescued from the fires of hell.

Before we repented and asked the Lord Jesus to be the Lord and Master of our lives, we too were under these indictments. Whether the Lost of the world, believe it or not, the Word of God is deadly serious, unshakeable and will never be done away by any mortal human being.

As we get to the list of deadly serious indictments, under which we were all guilty unless Jesus is our Advocate,  we need to briefly discuss the summary of conditions leading up to the list.

Romans 1:18-32 gives us a 100% accurate picture of not just society (then and now) but personal conduct. Denying the Creation of the world was alive and well almost 2000 years ago when this was written. Today, Evolution is the religion of the unredeemed. History Channels celebrate Aliens and UFO as having more to do with the wonders of Creation than the God Who actually created it.  Their confusion is so complete, that some worship the very inanimate objects created by our Creator. Sexual perversion of all types is now so extreme that is heading to its logical conclusion. Unlike 2000 years ago, the internet makes all of this so readily available to the smartphones of even the most innocent, the majority of whom have no right to be viewing all this ungodly filth. God will judge.

Romans Chapter 2 is a completely devastating and warning-filled truth about the coming day of Judgment. Even those who have never heard of Jesus Christ or even Our Heavenly Father, will be judged. There is a reason for this. God made EVERY human being ever born – the same, in that He places His divinity in our hearts. The rich New Yorker and the tribal hunter in Papua New Guinea have the same Law of God written and embedded in their hearts, minds and souls. They can choose to ignore it and wall off their conscience, thereby denying Him, but the basics remain true. The rich city folk and the lost tribe near the Amazon River both gravitate towards the worship of something or someone. For the tribe and they may (and do) choose their gods made from created items in the rainforest. For the rich and spoiled, their worship revolves around themselves and their pursuit of earthly wealth and please, ONLY. 

Romans 2:15 warns that it is the same Law of God embedded in their souls from birth, which will either condemn them or rescue them if Jesus is their Savior and Master.  Christians today are also warned to watch our talk and match it with our walk. Whether people believe it or not, God will judge and no one escapes…..including religious leaders and common folk like us.

The statements from God in Romans chapters 1 and 2 set up what is coming next from the Grand Jury, in God’s Courtroom. 

The following charges have been fixed against all humankind since Adam and Eve sinned, as recorded in Genesis Chapter 3. The Indictment from God is perfect and true and if we are not forgiven, by the Same Jesus Who gave His life on the Cross as a payment for our sins,  all will inevitably face eternal separation from God, in a place called Hell.

Here is the List of Indictments which will bring permanent Divine Judgment against this lost and perishing world:

"There is none righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10). This is the crux of the matter. No one is as good as God. Not even Adam, before he sinned, approached even one iota of the Righteousness, Holiness and True Power. This should also disabuse ANY mortal man or woman or child, who thinks he or she is good enough to get into heaven, on that self-delusion alone! Every single broken law of God, in the long list of indictments by God, against us humans, emanate from the penumbra of the sinful nature of humankind. Only God Himself could correct this and provide a way for those seeking Him, to be forgiven and brought into the Kingdom. When Jesus paid the Ultimate Price and rose from the grave to victory, the free offer to us of HIS own pure and divine Righteousness was made available to all who are now willing to ask and accept His forgiveness, as well as He Himself personally, as Lord and Savior of their lives.

"There is none who understands, none who seeks God" (Romans 3:11). The Bible says for sure, no one actually seeks God. If you and I think about our own lives before Christ (B.C.) and when He saved us, it would us well to recall how self-centered and pleasure-seeking we were. Sure we may have been responsible citizens and good family providers, but apart from paying lip service to a general “God”, there was nothing to distinguish us from the other lost people. That is, until Jesus Christ called us to Himself, showed us His plan of Salvation and gave us the choice to accept Him as Lord and master of our lives. In our human wisdom, we constantly thought, acted and existed on a horizontal level. We had no fear of God because we did not fear Him or His Justice. We were not wise at all. 

The most accomplished nuclear scientist or college professor is both lost and foolish before God if their sins are not forgiven and they do not know Jesus as Savior. They do not understand because they are not spiritually wise. Spiritual wisdom comes from having  healthy awe, fear and respect of the Lord. You can take a poor dirt farmer whom the world looks down on, but yet, is a worshipper, prays and can quote long passages of King James bible verses in context, and stand him next to the most brilliant cardiologist at the Heart Clinic. The farmer, who goes to Sunday church meeting with his clean overalls and work boots would be able to run circles around the ace heart doctor, in God’s economy. The true Christian understands and knows that he is nothing before Holy God and therefore, without Him

"All have turned aside; together they have become useless; there is none who does good. There is not even one" (Romans 3:12).  There is doing good….and then, doing GOOD. This world is full of a lot of very wealthy people who are philanthropists, some who even donate millions to Doctors Without Borders or causes which feed and clothe many in less fortunate countries. Even some of the vilest robber barons of the late 19^th and early 20^th century in America had foundations which contribute to the Arts and other such pursuits. But none of their hearts are set on the Lord.

Some of the richest men in the world support ungodly things likes which are completely against the precepts of the Bible and the cause of Life. Scripture tells us that we shall know them by their fruit. John the Baptist also says in John 3:10 “…every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire”.  This explicitly implies that people do bear fruit. The tech billionaire who donates $10 million to buy school uniforms and computers in South Africa or Oakland but also gives $15 million to Planned Parenthood is the kind of man, of whom John speaks. The multi-million dollar corporate Foundation which sponsors Art and artists who blaspheme Jesus Christ and mocks the Kingdom of God is not only absolutely useless as in this indictment, but is of no good to the Lord Who gave the gifts and talents to these people who mock Him.

“Their throats is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips” (Romans 3:13). This is a very serious indictment. We are called upon, as believers, to guard our tongues. IN Psalm 39:1 tells us “I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.” God will give grace to His saved ones (Christians) who slipped up but even so, we have many Christian parents who speak the life out of their own kids, which not only turns them against them (the parents) but has the potential to cause the child to eventually turn against our loving Abba- our Heavenly Father. For that, the Christian will suffer loss, even while being saved. For those who are not born again, their words will come back to haunt them at the Great White Throne. Every idle word, cuss word, words of hate, blasphemy, lies after lies after lies will be played back on the heavenly jumbotron. There is going to be no rebuttal as they will stand guilty, knowingly guilty.  

This is not an American or western courtroom. This is God’s Courtroom where the opportunity to have Jesus Christ as our Advocate has long since passed. There is no discovery or other modern legal practices. God already has all the evidence in living color.  The media, which delights in tearing down as many as possible, especially Christians are instruments of the opponents of God. The liberal education system which has not only banned anything wholesome and representative of the Lord but is increasingly is corrupting our children with perversion and sexual imagery, will stand guilty and condemned before God. Matthew 18:6 has already sealed their fates. The poison of snakes (asps) is not just in what say to ruin the innocence and faith of those in their charge, but what they allow others to demonstrate in classroom settings. The same for the Hollywood and the multi-media industrial complex. The church is not spared in any of these charges. Heresy is a major offense to the Lord and those who preach the godless prosperity gospel; cheap grace without mention of sin and a “gospel” without repentance….those who promote social justice over God’s judgment and emotional experience over the full Counsel of God….they will all stand in Judgment for their words and be held to account.

“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:14).  Some Christians wish evil to happen to others whom we think have it better than us. For that, we must repent, forget about doing this ever again, and move on. However, many who do not belong to the Lord call down curses and worse on others and that includes going to voodoo priests and pagan witchdoctors called “shamans”.  The question of whether Christians should pray “imprecatory” (or prayers of judgment etc) on our enemies who are also enemies of God, is a very delicate subject. If you’re going to do such a thing, as a born again believer, be aware of how King David prayed those (as in Psalm 69) and balance it with the grace and love of the New Testament and Jesus. Otherwise,  leave those alone for the lost to curse and swear in their evil resentment, bitterness, and rebellion against the Holy God of Heaven. We, who are saved, should instead BOTH pray for these evil people to be saved and cease their evil as well as, pray them into the Hands of God, so that He can protect you from them.

“Their feet are swift to shed blood” Romans 3:15. On the surface, this one seems pretty confusing, since most indictments in this current world, are usually cut and dry.  However, it will make sense when viewed in the context of evil in this violent fallen world. The 20^th century was the bloodiest century of all history. The evil godless doctrine of Communism/Socialism killed over 150 million people around the world. The National Socialists (Nazi’s) committed mass genocide including 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. Millions more starved because of evil dictatorships and governments. In America, over 60 million unborn babies were aborted since the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973 and that “industry” took it to new depths, all the while its practitioners and politicians become personally wealthy in the process.  This is exactly what this indictment means. 

The feet in this verse are indicative of action.  For all these hundreds of millions of deaths in the 20^th century and since, to occur, evil men and women had to set things in motion to cause the Soviet Union. Communist China and its satellites in Asia and South America, the Middle East and Africa did these things to solidify power and their iron grip over their starving people. They are still actively oppressing not just their own people, but any mentions or outward expression of Faith.  Their founder, Karl Marx, said that “religion was the opium of the people” and his acolytes have set out to destroy any mention of Christianity in their communist countries. 

Regardless, Communist China has the largest number of Christians in the underground church, of any country in the world. Persecution is the mother’s milk of the church. Still, this indictment stands against not just governments large and small but against those who are quick to peddle narcotics, traffic in human beings and cause pain to their fellow man. God is not mocked and what people sow, that they shall reap.

The Next Three Indictments are serious for the damage they have caused to so many innocent people over the course of history.

Romans 3:16 says “destruction and misery are in their paths”. This has been obvious for most of human history for the majority of people under the rule of corrupt men and women. Because of the thirst for power, control and worse by cruel people, who are basically lower forms of insecure humans,  of people, billions have been oppressed or worse since recorded time began. The usual suspects are obvious. We all know about people from Hitler and Stalin to Castro, Genghis Khan and Chairman Mao of China. But what about the father who terrorizes his own family? What about the neighborhood bully who harms seniors or demands “shake down” benefits in order to survive on your own street block? What about those who make life difficult in our own city, towns and states? What about the drive-by shooters whose stray bullets destroy life in Chicago, Detroit? It will behoove them to know that they are no less guilty than those aforementioned historical leaders. 

Both the famous and the regular folks who leave this life without their sins forgiven will spend eternity away from God. The destruction, which they cause to families endure, continues for generations. The misery, hunger and environmental conditions those people have as their legacies, we see right before our eyes on the news daily. The suffering they have wrought is palpable.  Personal sin and violating all of the Ten Commandments are one thing, but causing any of this from Romans 3:16 to others, on purpose, will cause even more pain to these perps on Judgment Day.

“And the path of peace they have not known” (Romans 3:17). Even though Jesus presented the Gospel of Peace in Bold Colors and everyone has had access, in most of the known world for almost 2000 years to the New Testament teachings of Christ and the Apostles, most ignore, disparage or just pretend the Gospel does not exist. This is to their own personal detriment. God has always been clear about the narrow gate to heaven, the road to salvation to get there. In the last 300 years, the Gospel has been taken to most of the world, at warp speed and at great sacrifice. People reject it at their own risk….and they do.  
The peace which mortal men seek to formulate is based on the absence of war and on the conditions of the conquered. The Peace that passes ALL understanding can only come from those who hear and believe the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of their lives. Jesus says in John 14:27 that ""Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful". Because the majority of the world has rejected Jesus the Messiah, they will never know the real pathway to peace, which can only be found in Him. This charge and indictment is the complete and literally outright Rejection of the Prince of Peace. 

"There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). The Apostle Peter said something VERY profound in Acts chapter 10, verse 35 “…in every nation, the man who fears Him (the Lord) and does what is right, is welcome to Him”. This is the man chosen by Jesus to “feed His Lambs”….meaning, teaching Truth along with the keys to godly living as found in all the chapters of 1 and 2 Peter. Peter also wrote the Gospel of Mark, through dictation to Mark who wrote down Peter’s words.  Peter taught the ideal, which is, the “fear of the Lord”.  God Himself defines what this “fear” (or reverence or respect or awe) of God is. The Lord says in Proverbs 1:7 that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;  fools despise wisdom and instruction”.

We can see it with our own eyes, that most of this corrupt world, not only has no respect and love for God, but actively seek to destroy His creation, His children, and His character. They cannot change Who He is by their blasphemy, heresy, and evil, but they are succeeding in turning more and more generations of young people from Faith and Love of God. The Age of Reason, which destroyed Christianity in Europe and now the British Isles, has landed in America, Australia, and other developed countries to the point where only about 9% -10% of people who call themselves Christians as truly born again. In other western countries, that a percentage is even less.  In general terms, over 70% of America calls themselves Christians.

The Lord said that there is no fear of Him in their eyes. They have no fear because the majority have no intimate knowledge of Him. They can mention the name “God” or even acknowledge there is a “higher power” but they no more know Him personally, like all born-again Christians do, nor do they know His ways. They can have the best education, in the best institutions of higher learning in the world. They can give themselves Nobel Prizes for science, literature, and inventions. They have even clone animals now and have robots doing human functions, in their subconscious efforts to replace God. They can, and do, turn to eastern mysticism, Scientology, and other man-made pagan systems to validate their sin, immorality and check-off box for whatever they think their souls need. They do all of this to avoid the Truth of the one true God and what He requires of His creation.  He will not force them to believe, fear, or love and respect Him. He presents the Facts about Who He is through the Bible and His undershepherds- the preachers of this world, but He will never force them to do anything against their will. This way, also, ultimately, the act of choosing to go to a fiery place away from God is their own choice.

On Judgment Day, there will be no debate from some defense attorney of the accused. The evidence will be demonstrated, in the divine archives of heaven, to be 100% certain. Only the saved, born-again and humble Christian will be defended by their (our) Advocate – Jesus Christ. The rest will stand on their own right before being sent away to their eternal future separation from Heaven.

These accusations by Almighty God may not be called “indictments” or charges. But one thing is certain: unredeemed mankind will stand before the Judge and Jury called Jesus Christ. However, as He sits on the Great White Throne of Judgment on the final day, these will be exactly – in detail the charges He has against all mankind. The Christian is the only one who will avoid the Righteous Wrath of the Lord. No one person, from anywhere in this world, will be able to say He never heard the Gospel.    

GREAT WOMEN OF FAITH - ANNA, FIRST BIG CITY EVANGELIST

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of

the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38).

Nothing is wasted in God's economy. Nothing in His Creation and nothing in His Word. Every word, of every phrase of every verse of every chapter of book is there for a reason and the passage above is no exception. The prophetess Anna is more than just an extra in some church Christmas program. She is given to us as an example of so many attributes we need to emulate as Christians.

God created us, each with a different and unique set of DNA, fingerprints and personality. However, there is nothing new under the sun, while under the Son - He maketh everything new! The person of Anna, writen, under Divine Authority, about by Dr. Luke, the Greek Gospel writer is a living testimony to the amazing Mind of God. Let us unpack this, thematically as well expository, as we look at this powerful woman of God.

Anna was of great age (verse 36b): In this case, it is okay to ask a woman her age!!  The only reason this is important is the evidence the Holy Spirit gives to show that Anna had been serving God for a long, long time. We see in the next phrase, she was an 84 years old widow, having been married for 7 years. Many of us have been Christians and followers of Jesus Christ for many decades, some for a few years, some just recently. But six plus decades is a long time, in anybody's language for dedicated, selfless service to the Lord. One significant noticeable thing is this - Anna lost her husband in her early 20's. Yet, unlike most, instead of being bitter and turning AWAY FROM God, she turned TO Him. We are to learn from this. We can learn that no matter how much it hurts, God is for us and is always in control. There is nothing wrong in asking our Father in Heaven "why me, Lord". But be prepared for the answer, because that answer is always geared towards strengthening our Faith and our relationship with Him, if we listen and let Him direct our future....after the appropriate period of mourning.

Anna did not depart from the Temple (verse 37a): She obviously had her own little room in the huge temple complex, which was appointed by God, where there had to be many old used scrolls of the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms. She did not spend those many years just walking around aimlessly, being only an encourager to countless women and children. According to tradition, she would not have been allowed to teach men, but praying for and ministering to others was her calling. The lesson for us here is this - we are not to depart from the modern Temple of the Lord, because the Holy Spirit Who abides in us, has fueled us up with the correct mindset to seek, pursue and acquire the Knowledge of the Holy One and we are to live under than unction all the days of our lives. This includes and precludes us following after the mystic and pagan ways of the eastern "religions" and the strange New Age doctrines of the west.

Anna served God with fastings and prayers (verse 37b): This is an interesting phrase as there is more to it than we read in the English translations, on which modern western christianity based their "theology". The word "serve" is from the original bible Greek word "latris" which literally means "hired servant". In a sense, we are all “hired servants” of the King, being Christians and bought by a price – on the Cross, by His Precious Blood. We are servants who are never fired, but are continually being fired up by the Power of the Holy Spirit – the very Spirit of God Who indwells every rejuvenated soul.  We serve Him best by being His disciples. We already know what the qualifications of a disciple is, i.e “take up your Cross and follow” Christ.

This “taking up of the Cross” is the one thing modern Christians have the biggest problem with and continues to be our downfall.  Taking up one’s Cross means total selfless commitment to the point of being a “doulos” like the Apostle Paul. Modern English translates that word “servant” to be politically correct when it literally means slave. A slave follows His Master as we should follow Christ. The commitment not only involves dying to self but following Christ in every way – in studying His Word, like Anna studied the scrolls – the same scrolls we hold in our hands when we hold a Bible. The commitment also involves daily prayer and as much as possible – fasting.  Fasting is not a concept which was done away with but a way to connect with the Lord on a deeper level, when we put aside the distractions and delicasies of daily living for a higher purpose of Christ, on occasion. This is the way we grow as disciples and emulate the great example of Anna the Prophetess.

Anna responded to God's Perfect Timing (verse 38a): Now this verse

about the great woman of faith – Anna –is so intriguing and full of meaning. First of all, we see perfect timing. It appears from Dr. Luke’s Gospel that God Himself directed first Simeon and then Anna, to His Son (in baby form) in the same encounter. But how would she know which one would be the Christ child in all the hundreds of people in the temple courtyard that day? God’s perfect timing is the only answer.  This woman had spent six decades, living in the temple under the auspices and Grace of God and had studied under the best teachers of the time, including Nicodemus and Gamaliel.  She knew the Word. She fasted and prayed and ministered as much as she ate and slept, walked and talked. In that instant, it all came together. For us, that moment was when we first knew Him as Lord and Savior – and the most exciting journey of our lives began! This is the journey with Jesus which will take us home to be with Him!

Anna became the First Big City Evangelist (verse 38b): So it no wonder, she gave thanks! Her entire life was fulfilled in the meeting and holding of the Sovereign King of the Universe –the Baby Jesus! Her words of gratitude for this honor are not recorded like Simeon, but her actions spoke more. Her gratitude for what the Lord did for her, led her to become the First Evangelist of the Christian Faith in Jerusalem. We already saw that the poor Shepherds of Bethlehem were the first pastors and evangelists but they were kept OUTSIDE the big city by the Pharisees, who did not want them in the Holy City for many reasons! They looked down on those shepherds as dirty, smelly and even thieves when these shepherds were the ones who kept all the sheep required for the Temple sacrifices! 

God revealed the Birth of the Savior to these poor Shepherds at the beginning on the jagged cold hills south of the eternal city. He then revealed the eight day old God-man to this amazing woman, Anna, who spared no time sharing the Good News of the Savior's arrival to all in the City of Jerusalem, who would listen. With whom she shared the news of the fulfillment of the Messianic Prophesy is important. Scripture said "Anna spoke of Him to all who looked for Redemption". Just like today, people felt oppressed, under stressed and distressed and full of hopelessness. Still, this great woman of Faith, who literally met the Savior as a baby boy, knew of the Hope that had arrived and told all who would listen. This laid the foundation for what took 30 years to come to fruition - the Ministry of Jesus Christ. Today, we have that same hope. So many are unable to cope and are even looking in the wrong place for their concept of Redemption, Peace, Joy, Understanding, Love, Hope and Grace. They need to look to the beautiful Face of Christ, Whom the Father allowed this unique woman to first see; surrender their lives to Him and then feel the same joy Anna saw, when she came face to Face with the Messiah two thousand years ago.

IMAGE CREDIT: HEUNING-WOMEN OF FAITH
Photo Credit Here

INSPIRATIONAL SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR - "THE BEAUTIFUL WORLD": (Interview & Review)

(Adapted from Eleanor H. Porter’s Inspirational Novel: Just David)

If you’ve kept up with The Write Stuff blog for any length of time, you’ve noticed my posts about the prolific writings of Susan Rohrer, who has enjoyed a multi-faceted, award-winning career as a producer, screenwriter, director, and author in the entertainment and media industries. Most recently, I posed a few questions to Ms. Rohrer about her newest release entitled The Beautiful World.

—Bernie Lutchman 

BL:  Why did you choose to adapt Eleanor H. Porter’s original novel Just David into your latest writing project, The Beautiful World?

SR:  First, thanks so much for inviting me to be part of your blog, Bernie. It’s my joy and privilege to share these thoughts with your readers.

When it comes to choosing what stories to tell, I find Philippians 4:8 to be a great yardstick. I ask myself if that story I’m considering would be a vessel of honor, if it’s consistent with what is true, right, pure, lovely, and of good report. Does the story have any virtue? Is it worthy of praise, thought, and the investment of time? Does it have the potential to transform? One person at a time, could it help make this world a better place? Eleanor H. Porter’s stirring story measured up on every level.

As noted in its subtitle, The Beautiful World is an adaptation of Porter’s inspirational classic, Just David. Since childhood, I’d been familiar with Porter’s most famous work, Pollyanna, and the family film productions it inspired. But I’d never heard of Just David until a dear friend and former co-worker called that gem to my attention. Just David had been even more popular than Pollyanna, ranking as the #2 Bestseller in the USA when it was published in 1916. Those who’ve discovered Just David treasure it, but with no film made, Porter’s tale of David, a guileless violin prodigy, has largely faded from the spotlight of popular culture. Still, from her very first pages, Porter’s timeless story resonated within me. With its universal longing to find meaning in life and its many scriptural allusions, this Gospel-laced allegory evoked deep emotion in me. It made me want to see our troubled world through David’s luminous eyes.

I remember telling my agent at the time about my intent to adapt Porter’s book

into a screenplay. He did his best to discourage this since—in today’s market—dark, edgy, secular scripts are much easier to sell. Still, Porter’s story echoed within me, begging to be told on the screen. So, I wrote the screenplay, updating it into the contemporary milieu, under the title The Beautiful World. Bless him, my agent still circulated the script to a number of production companies. Across the board, praise for the script was high. Some showed interest in getting it funded for production. But though that script opened doors and boosted my credibility as a screenwriter, it has yet to make it to the screen.

Time passed, but that longing remained to bring The Beautiful World to life in some way. Many of my scripts had already been produced, but I had just as many that I loved that hadn’t made it to the screen. Because a number of my scripts took many years to get produced, I continue to do what I can to support that effort. One by one, I began to adapt those orphaned scripts, giving each a home and a new life in novel form. Finally, the time seemed right to novelize The Beautiful World.

BL:  What would you like to accomplish with this dynamic new work?

SR:  I’m so excited at the prospect that this modern retelling will bring Porter’s

Author/Producer/Director
Susan Rohrer of L.A.

classic back to the attention of contemporary readers. And maybe, God willing, as the novel takes on a life of its own, it will raise awareness of the screenplay and support the effort to get The Beautiful World funded as a motion picture.  

Meanwhile, in novel form, it’s my hope that The Beautiful World will put a mirror up in some way for everyone who reads, that we’ll see ourselves in each of its characters. Of course, as much as we’d hope to see ourselves in David’s idyllic mountaintop experience, we’re more likely to relate to the real world people he meets in the valley below. We might recognize the couple that takes David in, workaholic farmer Simeon Holly and his lonely wife, Ellen. We see ourselves in the Hollys’ farmhand, Perry Larson, or in single mother Tina Glaspell as she toils to feed her kids. Some will resonate with Jack Gurney’s truncated law career and his estrangement from his childhood sweetheart, heiress Barbara Holbrook, a woman who has everything but purpose in her life. Through each of these pivotal characters, I’d like to provoke readers to think about their relationships with work and to how that impacts their relationships with one another. In that sense, I’d like to set each reader on David’s quest, to discover what work of true beauty and value he or she is meant to do in life.

BL:  You have a wonderful gift of placing your readers into the narrative you’re producing. What advice do you have for young authors who may need some experience painting the sounds, smells, and feels a town or a scene, on the canvas of their stories?

SR:  Because realizing characters can be an intensely spiritual process, seeking discernment about each opportunity becomes an important first step. Stand strong in what you believe, no matter how hard the world tries to squeeze you into its mold. Don’t be afraid to pass on something that doesn’t sit right in your spirit. That hesitation you sense might be that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, whispering that it’s best to invest your time elsewhere. On the other hand, if the project passes the discernment test, the best place to start is by inviting our Creator—the greatest creative mind in the universe—into the creative process. He knows our minds and hearts so well. He knows the human condition each character faces. And He’s a very present help in making each character ring with relatable truth.

As in acting, in writing there’s this process of “going there” and inhabiting that place where each character lives in a profound, internal way. We need to do more than write about a moment. We need to be in that moment. And when we are, a very sensory world opens up inside us. We go beyond merely observing characters objectively to living in their circumstances experientially. We venture to that sensory place where we see, hear, smell, and taste what they do. As we begin to feel what they feel, we pour that experience out on the page. So, go there. Think what your characters think. Notice the things they notice. Laugh with them, cry with them, feel their pains and joys. Above all, acknowledge God in all your works, and as promised, He will direct your paths.

Editor’s Note:  Readers of this blog can get a copy of The Beautiful World by Susan Rohrer at either of the links below.

Paperback Edition (currently in release):

http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-World-Inspirational-Literature-Contemporary-Christian-Classics/dp/150844739X

Kindle Edition (available on pre-release sale till its full release 8/15/2015):

http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-World-Inspirational-Redeeming-Contemporary-Christian-Classic-ebook/dp/B0108IQ3C2

Interested in following this author on Amazon, Twitter, or Pinterest? Visit:

http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Rohrer/e/B005F0CHLU

http://twitter.com/suroar

http://pinterest.com/IAMSusanRohrer

BOOK REVIEW:

Every once in a while, a literary work bursts forth from the pens of some of our great authors and/or screenplay writers, either packing a wallop that immediately goes straight for the gut, or contains a message gloved in velvet that draws almost every emotion out of you. This new offering by producer/director and prolific author Susan Rohrer actually does both. The unique thing about Rohrer’s new book “The Beautiful World” is that you never see that wallop coming as you go through a series of twists and turns in the plot.

The unique thing about Susan Rohrer’s masterful writing is you never knew what is around the corner. It is a feature of almost all her previous books, most of which have been reviewed on my blog. A la Paul Harvey, by design, the origins of David and “Daddy’s” mysterious home in the mountains posits a quizzical take on this unusual father/son duo and the impact they are about to have on the rest of the story.

Ms. Rohrer’s fast moving plot really picks up speed when Daddy and David come off the mountain to the “valley” (the real world) where life gets messy, complicated and increasingly harsh. New characters are added like the good guy attorney Jack Gurnsey and his circle of friends and family, as well as the hardscrabble farm couple of Ellen and Simeon Holly and their trusted farmhand Perry Larson. The Hollys end up being the sympathetic couple who take the orphaned young violin prodigy David in, after Daddy departs for what David knows as “the far country.” All is not roses for David at this couple’s farmhouse. The Hollys struggle both to make ends meet and pay the mortgage, owed to a man who owns most of their county. 

The expertly woven tapestry of this small town drama has the feel of a major motion picture family drama, which could have occurred in any time period of the last hundred years, in Americana.  The emotional roller coaster in “The Beautiful World” will draw you in, make you furious, then make you smile. It will make you sad to the point of bringing out a box of Kleenex. Whatever your taste in books, this one is more than just for a lazy summer afternoon read. It is an experience many will relate to, because there is something in every character with which each of us can resonate. 

AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY STARTS WITH THE CROSS

The modern world's greatest evangelist is of course, William Franklin (Billy) Graham. He once said that "This Gospel of Christ and Him crucified is still foolishness to millions who are perishing all over the world today. How few people recognize that the answer to all the world’s problems can be found at the foot of the Cross?" That is a great question.

The Cross is an enigma, in fact it is the greatest mystery of all time! It is the best piece of jewelry out there, even used by those who do not believe in what the Cross on which the Son of God was crucified, truly signifies. In this teaching video below, I explore this Truth in more depth. However, this should never be the end of our search understand the meaning of the Cross. The great Ray Stedman explained it very well when he said: "The Cross is significant in Christianity because it exposes the fundamental conflict of life. That is what these verses declare to us. The Cross gets down below all our surface attempts at compromise and cuts down to the basic difference behind all human disagreement. Once you confront the Cross and its meaning, you find yourself unable to escape that final, basic judgment of life as to whether you are committed to error or committed to truth."

The message of the following video is based on the following passage out of 1 Corinthians Chapter 18:18-19: "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." 

PLEASE NOTE: THE EMAIL ADDRESS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO FROM 2008, NO LONGER EXISTS.

BRAND NEW FROM SUSAN ROHRER IN 2014

Author/Movie Producer
Susan Rohrer

JUST RELEASED:
"WHAT LAUREL SEES" 
(Fiction: May 2014)

Click here for more information

One reason Susan Rohrer is both my favorite bible study author AND
writer of dramatic fiction, is her ability to switch from rightly dividing the Word of Truth  in her previous work ("Secrets of the Dry Bones: Ezekiel 37:1-14") to what I think is her most accomplished work as a novelist! "What Laurel Sees" has just about every unexpected turn of events one can realize that involves a relatively small cast of characters in the book - which reads more like a screenplay. In fact, as an objective observer and reader, I would suggest that if Hallmark movies or Lifetime Channel were looking for their next dramatic made-for-TV classic, this would be it.

Among other things, the novel is basically a reflection of the sad shape we find the world in these days - a world where the rich, ambitious and powerful use all means necessary for their own personal gratification.  It is a world of political intrigue, adultery,  manipulation and the sad circumstances of what happens to a victim of religious abuse.  Add to this, the wronged ex-wife of a slain councilman - Frank Fischer, a woman who has the gift of prophetic vision from the Lord, and is therefore quickly discounted as a headcase by everyone else in her world.  Laurel Fischer is that ex-wife who lost her husband to the beautiful socialite Shana Fischer. Shana, the ambitious temptress and mistress of Frank Fischer worked the legal system, with him,  perfectly in their eyes and somehow managed to gain of Laurel's only child, Grace. The adulterous couple used Laurel's oft-spoken-of gift as a "seer" or "visionary" to  influence a judge to effect such a rare decision. This part of the narrative plays a strong role in the developing human drama, as Ms Rohrer's novel progresses.

The book gets on the off ramp of the freeway of mystery very early on. It picks up speed when the apparently unredeemed councilman is found slain. This sets off a chain of swift moving events. Events also swirl around a hard-nosed newsman. An unlikely romance springs up which sets this hardened self-described atheist reporter Joe Hardisty on the road to redemption, which could be a guidepost for many in the secular world of mainstream media! Somewhere in the first third of this novel, the well-crafted storyline grips you and never lets you pull off that freeway to the shoulder, until you are through reading it! This is what happened to me as I was unable to put it down on a three hour trip. As a person who almost never reads fiction, it takes a special gift of writing and credible authorship to get me to get even half way through such a book. "What Laurel Sees" is that kind of literary work and thus, it is highly recommended for your early summer reading! The dramatic conclusion of the book is worth the several hours of "page-turning"!

NEW: LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY BY SUSAN ROHRER:

Secrets of the Dry Bones: Ezekiel 37:1-14 

The Mystery of a Prophet's Vision (Illuminated Bible Study Guides Series) [Kindle Edition]

(NON-FICTION, January 2014)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

"BEST KEPT SECRET IN CHRISTIANITY?"....READ THIS BOOK!

Having read all of Ms Rohrer's books, I venture to say that this is her most inspired, powerful, meaningful and capable of a transformative role in the life of the reader. It is written in such a way as to engage and appeal to both the new believer as well as the more mature Christian into an in-depth self examination. The Secrets of the Dry Bones will cause ANYONE who are serious about Will and Work of God in your life, to reevaluate and consider everything anew! I know it did me! I was so excited about having to look into the mirror of my own soul at some of the author's questions and promptings for study.The book, content, the Scriptural passages, the challenges met me at the current point in my life when all three of those things lined up perfectly to minister to me.

I found the book written in a fast moving, easy to read and comprehend style which can hold a reader who is interesting in inspiration, encouragement, illumination and transformation. A special treat to the reader is the early format of looking at evidence and clues to this transformation from the purposes and promises of God (Ezekiel 37). The author executes that flawlessly....sort of like the CSI of biblical exposition! I recommend this book as tremendous resources for discipleship and growth, for any child of God.

WHO IS SUSAN ROHRER & WHAT INSPIRES HER:

#SON OF GOD SET TO GO BIG....WHAT ABOUT NOAH?

Two brand new movie are due to hit the screens in the next two weeks. One is based on the Bible, the other one is Noah. The most important release is called "SON OF GOD", the Mark Burnett-Roma Downey movie, reflective of the phenomenal 2013 History Channel Series "The Bible". While that series "The Bible", contained some contextual errors, it reached a new generation which most of those criticizing the series will never reach.

Whenever the Word of God goes out into the atmosphere, great things happen - including spiritual warfare. A clash of systems is about to hit this planet when those two movies go public. Son of God tells the powerful story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who became Man, so He could identify with His Creation - thus willingly give His Life that He may SAVE those who repent and believe.

Son of God is produced by two solid Christian believers - Burnett and Downey (husband and wife) - who believe the Gospel as preached in Mark 1:15. Jesus sent John the Baptist ahead with the message of Repentance.......then in His first message of the Gospel of the Kingdom, He said plain "REPENT, BELIEVE the Gospel and BE SAVED". That is the order. Through this beautifully woven story of Love and Compassion that message comes through along with the word "RESCUE". Jesus basically came to rescue humanity with a free offer of Faith and Salvation. All we have to do is believe. 

Word of mouth will carry this movie to "Passion of the Christ" status - off the charts. After watching the entire Burnett-Downey "The Bible" series and following the worldwide reaction on Twitter especially....and combining that with the most popular smartphone/tablet app in the world YOUVERSION, interest in the timeless Word of God is now at a peak! This movie will take this interest to a new level. What makes this movie authentic is the humility of its producers, who surrounded themselves with prayer warriors and pastors looking to tell the true story.

What makes Noah, the next release, almost the Hollywood Dark Knight version of the The Flood, just plain wrong is the same thing on the other side. Son of God was done by Christians to tell the true story of Christ. Paramount seemed to have had good intentions to tell the amazing story of the Flood that wiped out rampant evil from the Earth, but Noah's Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky had other ideas. First of all, you don't win an Oscar in today's Hollywood by being fair and balanced to Christians and the Bible. We just saw what happened last month when the Oscars pulled the nomination of the only Christian-based song, for song of the year, because the nominee was doing what every other nominee does - campaign to make the song known!

Secondly Aronofsky's mission seems to be modern American low-rent lies and political correctness. It is not accident this movie looks like one of those Batman Dark Knight episodes, starring a man who hates God - Russell Crowe, who does NOT look 500 plus years old. We know that God had promised that He would not destroy the earth until the great Methuselah died. In fact the name Methuselah means "his death shall bring Judgment"! This Hollywood "dark knight" version is more about the leftist's favorite religious cult of "environmentalism and overpopulation"....or "climate change and abortion"! What in the world does this have to do with the account that begins in Genesis 6??!!

Modern pagan American subjects like Climate Change and "overpopulation" are absolutely 180 degrees out of phase with the Biblical account of Noah.  Hollywood and their morally and intellectually vacant amen corner in the mainstream media, see nothing wrong with that they do and did (so far) in this movie. They think we Bible-believing Christians should just be grateful for the occasional bone and go out in droves to see their "masterpieces". What they don't seem to fully realize we take EVERY word of the Book SERIOUSLY! Every word was put there by the Lord for a reason. 

There are more Bible based movies to come apart from these two, in coming months. The next major one is EXODUS (the story of Moses) starring Christian Bale and another called Mary, Mother of God with Ben Kingsley. We shall see how these pan out. In the Christian world, movies rise or fall on word of mouth.  When Noah (and others come out, we shall see what the "word on the street is"). I plan to see both, to be both fair and authentic, as far as any criticism of Noah. Paramount is nervous about any backlash and may be correcting course on this as we speak. So all of this public discourse on the Noah Movie pre-pub could result in a better movie. Let's hope....