By Michael Harley

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” Hebrews 3:1a[i]

Christians have been called to a place of rulership which is in the heavens. This is the place which the nation of Israel had been called, but rejected. This heavenly calling was taken from them, and a new creation, a new nation, the Church was brought into existence to be the recipient of that which Israel rejected.

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. (Matthew 21:43)

This place in the heavens during Israel’s past calling was ruled by angels – Satan and his angels, is currently ruled by Satan and his angels, and will continue to be ruled by Satan and his angels until the return of Jesus Christ.

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him[a] all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4: 5–6)

 the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 3:10b)[ii]

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Revelation 12:10)

God Himself appointed Satan and his angels rule over the Kingdoms of the world from the heavenly places.

the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. (Dan 5:21b)[iii]

Christians are currently being called out of the world to heavenly positions of power and authority, over the nations, with Christ.

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’(Revelation 2:26,27,29)

But just as the nation of Israel 2,000 years ago, found themselves completely at home in the world and doing all the things that the world did, Christians today, find themselves completely at home in the world and doing all the things that the world does.

For our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20a)[iv] The Greek word for “citizenship” is “politeria”[v], in which we get our English word politics. For our politics are in heaven. Our involvement or concern is in the change of power in the heavenly places, not the change of powers of flesh and blood. Christians should be completely focused on being faithful toward God and being obedient to His commandments so that when Christ returns that which He said will be fulfilled:  Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.( Matthew 24: 46-47)

But today Christians involvement and concern are in the change of power with the current governments of this present world – authority ruled over by Satan and his angels. No Christian should be in places of government in this present world, nor should they be placing persons in governmental positions in this present world. The time for Christians to rule is future with Christ, not present under Satan and his angels. Christians are not to be exalting themselves in the present world, but are to be humbling themselves and teaching other Christians how to conduct themselves in the present world of darkness so that they will be exalted in the world to come.

“ For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” (Heb.2:5)

In the world to come angels will be cast out of the heavens above this world and Christ and Christians found to have overcome will then move into these positions and rule during the Messianic Age.

__________________________________________________________________________

[i] Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, Hebrews 3:1

[ii][ii]  to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, Ephesians 3:10

[iii] 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. Dan 5:21

[iv] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Phil. 3:20

[v] πολίτευμα (politeuma 4175) conversation [KJV] the being or the result of being a πολίτης (politēs 4177) (a member of a free city or state); citizenship, life as a citizen. Reference(s) Politeia; From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: According to Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon a meaning of politeia is “the conditions and rights of the citizen, or citizenship”, analogous to the Latin civitas.[1]

Politeia,[2] in Greek means the community of citizens in a city / state. It should not be confused with “regime” that is meant by politeuma[3] or “Status quo” that is meant by kathestos.[4] The regime is the word describing the political situation of the community of citizens in a city/state, and “kathestos” means also the general situation of an object, an agreement, or something else.

“Politeia” is derived from both the root word Polis meaning city/state,[5] and from the root verb “politeuomai” that means I am acting as an active citizen of the city state.

By, Michael Harley

God’s Throne is in “the farthest sides of the north” (Isa. 14:13)[i] If a person could travel north from Earth, leave our galaxy, and pass north of all other galaxies, he would reach God’s holy mountain. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. (Psalms 48: 1,2) This is why God is the God Most High, “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth (Psalms 47: 2)”

Jesus Christ in time past left the dwelling place of God, in the northern most parts of the universe, a place of universal rule, to the earth, the only place in the vast universe in which Scripture states that disobedience entered God’s universal Kingdom. Jesus came from the farthest sides of the north to accomplish that which man, who was created to rule the earth, was not able to accomplish. Jesus came as a Man and was completely obedient to God so that man could realize that which he was created for in the beginning – to rule the earth.

“Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things”. (Ephesians 4:10)

Jesus came from heaven as a Man and was completely obedient to God the Father and overcame all things, Therefore God has given Him rule over the part of God’s overall Kingdom in which rebellion has entered – the earth. This is the gospel which Jesus spoke of continually. The gospel of the Kingdom of heaven. The good news of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God which Jesus Christ when he returns will rule – The Kingdom over this earth. One place in a vast universe. Christ will sit on His own throne. He will leave a universal throne, at God’s right side, return to earth and sit on His own throne and rule over the earth with a rod of iron for 1,000 years.

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 25).

It will take 1,000 years for Christ to put an end to all disobedience. This is why Revelation chapter 20, verses 1 through 7 state the Kingdom being 1,000 years six times – because that’s exactly what it means: 1,000 years. [ii]

When Jesus commanded Jews, who were a saved people, to follow Him, He meant to follow in His footsteps, and just as He found Himself in a position to rule over the earth, those who followed Him would also find themselves in a position to rule over the earth. And this is exactly what you find in the Scriptures: They forsook all and followed Him.

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4: 18-19)

11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. (Luke 5:11)

27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. (Luke 5:27-28)

11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, [iii] (Luke 9:11a)

And because they left all and followed Him, Jesus promised them positions of power and authority in the Kingdom of heaven.

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:27-29New King James Version NKJV)

It is impossible for anyone to be where Jesus is unless they follow Him, for He is “the Way.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10: 37 – 39)

Just as Jews 2,000 years ago followed Christ will find themselves in positions of power and authority in the coming age, Christians today who follow Christ will find themselves in of positions of power and authority in the coming age, in the Kingdom of heaven, when that in Matthew chapter 25, verse 31 comes to pass, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.”

 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)

26: And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; (Revelation 2: 26-27).

Man was created to rule the earth. Scripture begins this way, and Scriptures ends with man realizing that which he was created for in the beginning. The Man Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and those who deny themselves and follow Jesus will also sit on His throne and be given power over the nations. Christians minds need to be off the world and set on the age to come. This age is passing away and everything with it, but the coming Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.

[i] For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north; Isaiah 14:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

[ii] Revelation 20:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison

[iii] 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. Luke 9:11

 by Michael Harley

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Matthew 19: 16-29

The preceding verses are about salvation into the Kingdom of heaven (vs. 23); about salvation into the Kingdom of God (v. 24), not salvation from eternal damnation. The one who came to Jesus in verse 16 was a Jew who was just as saved as any Christian is saved today. The nation of Israel had been shedding the blood of lambs since the days of Moses, for the forgiveness of sins, all the way up to the time of Jesus Christ. When this saved Jew asked in verse 16, “what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” he was speaking about life for an age. The Greek word for eternal is aion[i], which means age. An age is a period of time, having a beginning and an end (Ephesians 3:9; Matthew 13:49)[ii]

He was speaking about life in the Messianic Age when Jesus Christ sits on the throne of His glory. He also asked “What good thing shall I do?” Salvation from eternal damnation is “by grace,” “not of works” (Eph. 2:8,9)[iii]. There was nothing that this man could do to save himself from eternal damnation, but to have salvation into the Kingdom of heaven is something that saved man must work for. He must “strive to enter” (Luke 13:24).[iv]

Jesus said to him, “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (v17) Once again demonstrating that this life is something that the saved individual has to work for himself. The young man said that he had kept all these commandments from his youth and asked what he still lacked (v 20). So Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.” But the young man was not willing to give up his earthly possessions in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Although the young man was not willing to give up his possessions to have salvation into the Kingdom of God, Perter and the disciples were willing and had given up all and followed Jesus. And because of this Peter asked, “Therefore what shall we have?” (vs 27). “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me, will also sit on the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (v. 28).

The Kingdom of heaven is the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man returns sits on the throne of His glory, and rules over the nations for 1,000 years. And just as the disciples who left all and followed Jesus will sit on the thrones in the Kingdom of Heaven and rule over Israel, Any Christian who leaves all and follows Jesus will sit on Jesus’ throne in the Kingdom of heaven and rule over the nations.  26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; Revelation 2:26-27New King James Version (NKJV)

Man was created to have “dominion over all the earth” and God is not going to change His mind about why He created man “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Man will realize the purpose for his creation “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31New King James Version (NKJV) All Scripture moves toward this purpose.

[i] αἰών (aiōn 165)

ever [KJV]

ages [KJV]

(from ἄω, ἄημι (aō, aēmi) blow, breathe), the life which hastes away in the breathing of our breath, life as transitory; then, course of life, time of life, life in its temporal form; then the space of human life, an age, or generation (αἰών (aiōn 165) looks at a generation from the point of view of duration, while γενεά (genea 1074) does from that of race), αἰών (aiōn 165) always includes a reference to life, filling time or a space of time. Accordingly — the unbounded time, in which the history or life of the world is accomplished; and hence, the world as filling the unmeasurable contents of immeasurable time. Reference(s)

eternal [KJV]

(from ἄω, ἄημι (aō, aēmi) to blow, breathe) the life that hastes away in the breathing of our breath, life as transitory; then, the course of life, time of life, and generally life in its temporal form; then, the space of human life, an age. αἰών (aiōn 165) always includes a reference to the life, filling time or space of time, hence, the unbounded time past and future, in which the life of the world is accomplished; immeasurable time (Genitive plural of ages). Reference(s)

course [KJV]

the life that hastes away in the breathing of the breath, life as transitory, course of life, and generally life in its temporal form; then, the space of human life, a space of time, time as moving, an age, time so far as history is accomplished in it; an age or dispensation. Reference(s)

In phrases:

εἰς αἰών (eis 1519 aiōn 165) ever (for); *with the article, unto the age. [KJV]

εἰς (eis 1519) into, unto.

[ii] Ephesians 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; New King James Version (NKJV) Matthew 13:49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, New King James Version (NKJV)

[iii] Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. New King James Version (NKJV)

[iv] Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 4New King James Version (NKJV)

By Victor Davis

Before I came to prison, my ego was not well developed. This fact was marked by a lack of maturity and an underdeveloped sense of responsibility. I could procreate, but spiritually I was a child and an apostate. I lived life according to my own philosophical values. Although I believed in YAHSHUA, I was my own idol and lived as a womanizer, a substance abuser, and worst of all, an unreliable parent.

On January 10, 2014, I officially came into DOC custody, and everything I ever feared becoming, became a reality and a nightmare that I could not wake up from.

It was a surreal experience. Within a year’s time, I received the wages of my sins. Everything I identified with, and everyone I found security with was taken away from me. My life was desolate.

During my incarceration, I began to re-establish my relationship with YAHVEH through prayer, faith, and by being a Berean.

In addition to this, HE started to answer my prayers, even those that didn’t come in the form I thought they would.

However, YAHVEH pruned my heart through these things. As I have come to accept, YAHSHUA as YAHVEH, as well as my eternal SAVIOR, 1 have learned to be content and steadfast by trusting on HIM solely for all of my needs through endurance and not on the things of the world that I believed defined me.

so, what has YAHSHUA done for me since I’ve been incarcerated? HE has refined my heart by giving me His character.

My FATHER,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips, supply words that proclaim ‘Love lustres at Calvary. ‘

There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy SON, made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me; There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow; There thy infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made; there infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured.

CHRIST was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best, stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed, athirst that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted, made a shame that I might inherit glory, entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My SAVIOUR wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain

that I might have unfading health, bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem, bowed HIS head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might for ever live.

O FATHER, who spared not thine only SON that thou mightest spare me, all this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; Help me to adore thee by lips and life. O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.

Go forth, O conquering GOD, and show me the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

 by Aaron Hughes

I Peter 5:6 says “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GOD, that HE may exalt you in due time. ” Before we can expect GOD to do anything for us, we must first humble ourselves. Humbling myself was the hardest thing for me to do. My sense of entitlement kept me from being able to bend my knee in service. I couldn’t understand how to get over my pride or how to set aside my false, so called “entitlement.”

Then I read I Peter 5: 7: “Casting all your care up-on HIM; for HE careth for you. ” Now I understand that HE is the ONE who makes all things possible, and if I want to humble myself, I have to die to self and allow HIM to do HIS perfect work.
Understanding that this process isn’t necessarily a work completed overnight, the last part of verse 6 says “That HE may exalt you in due time, ” not in my time, but in HIS time. I must stay persistent in seeking HIS will if I want to be exalted by the ALMIGHTY. Will it always be an easy road? Absolutely not, but it will be worth it.
There is nothing more desirable than to be exalted by GOD ALMIGHTY. So, please keep striving for HIS desires because the tribulations of this world cannot even hold a candle to HIS EVERLASTING GLORY.

 by Miguel (Juan Carlos Caballero)

First of all, thanks be to our Heavenly FATHER for HIS great loving kindness toward us, HIS  people. It’s just because of HIS mercy that I am still alive today. Looking back into my life, I can see that there is no possible way that I could have survived by myself in the world, doing all the wrong things that I was doing.

Now I can tell that nothing else but the protection of the LORD kept me alive. I could be dead by now, but today I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that my Heavenly FATHER, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTTY, the CREATOR of the universe, kept me alive until the day I repented of all my sins and surrendered my life completely to HIM!

And the very same day that I came to HIM  in true repentance, HE forgave me for all the sins that I committed during my life. HE forgave every single dirty thing I did in thoughts, words, and deeds. HE also gave me the power to live a victorious life, to overcome sin, the world, and the devil. HE gave me a new life. filled me with the HOLY SPIRIT; HE also filled me with the peace of GOD, HIS peace, “the peace that passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

When I was living outside for myself, the world, and the devil, I always had this feeling, this void, this emptiness in my heart. I knew that I was looking for something. I didn’t know at that time what I was looking for to fill my emptiness and make me feel complete.

So, I started trying to fix my problems with drugs, money, sex, prestige, and so on. But none of these things was helping me to fill the longing I had in my heart. Instead of helping me, all of these things were just making my life worse.

It was only the day I received JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR that my searching stopped. When HE came to live in my heart, HE filled all of my emptiness. Now I can say with all confidence, I am complete in JESUS, who is the head of all principalities and power (Colossians 2:10). I’m alive! I have the real life, the abundant life, because JESUS lives in me!! Now I can confidently say:

“I’m not just existing, I am living!! ‘

Thank you, JESUS!! My friend, if you are still trying to fill the emptiness of your heart, TRUST in JESUS today. Ask IÆIIVI to come into your heart and be your LORD and SAVIOR. Ask HIM to save you from your sins; HE will do it.

HE is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). With GOD, there is no partiality. HE did it for me, and I-E will also do it for you. I-IE saved me. HE will save you also. Just trust 1-11M and believe HIS WORD. “Behold, I (JESUS) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with ME” (Revelation 3:20).

 by Gary J. Doby

Baseball has been honored as the “Perfect Game” and as “America’s Pastime. ” The ideal distances of 60′ 6″ from the rubber to the plate and 90′ baselines are just right. Three out at-bats and four ball, three strike counts at the plate move the game accordingly. The prescribed rules maintain order and form.

Yet those with a frue understanding of the game recognize certain “fundamentals” and how to best execute them, fundamentals that bring aesthetic satisfaction and victory to the team that performs. The timing and surprise of the “suicide squeeze ” make it the most exciting play in baseball. And following the basic tenet “Never make the last out at third base” can be the difference between victory and defeat.

After nine innings and 54 outs, however, it’s over for the day. The teams go on to pray another day. Yogi Berra famously pronounced: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over. ” Yet, in baseball, there’s always another game or another team.

Life, however, is not a mere “game. ” We are given, blessed with, a limited number of days to live and “once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 10:27). There are no double-headers, not 154 game schedules and no one has the promise of a tomorrow: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

GOD has blessed us in HIS WORD with basic rules and fundamentals to assure us of “Victory in JESUS. ” The commands are clearly given in Exodus 20 and in the WORDS of CHRIST throughout HIS ministry.

CHRIST made the “rules ” clear and established several fundamentals necessary for salvation, victory over the grave. When HE commanded (John 3:7) “Ye must be born again, ” HE revealed to Nicodemus a basic tenet of CHRISTIANITY.

The means to the re-birth are certain. Every person must accept the fact that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD” (Romans 3:23) and that “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD ” (Romans 6:23).

CHRIST has guaranteed that Satan and sin cannot defeat us. Peter stated, “He that believeth on HIM shall not be confounded” (I Peter 3:6). JESUS said that 1—IE came so that “Whosoever believeth on HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Yet HE warned in John 3:18: “He that believeth not is condemned already.

Life is a gift, not a game. But there are fundamentals and rules for living. To “lose” is eternal damnation and separation from GOD.  CHRIST has already provided our victory. Just believe, accept GOD’s grace, and be saved. Where are you today?

“He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the SON -shall not see life;

submitted by Rebecca Stowers

When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow Whose verdict counts most in’ your life is the one staring back from.the glass.

Some    People   might thing you’re a straight-shorting chum and call your a wonderful  guy,

But the man in the glass says you,’re  Only a bum  if you can’t look him straight in the eye:

He’s the fellow to please never mind all the rest for he’s with you clear to the end,

And you’ve passed your most dangerous test if the guy in the glass is’ your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years and get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartache and tears if you’ve cheated the man ih the glass.—unknown

“The Mysterious Figure” by Fred L. Durbin

dejected, I climbed out of the car, approached the front door, and just stood there —   motionless... (excerpt from part one.)

The babies yelled, “daddy’s home, daddy’s home, ” as I entered  the house “Play with us daddy, play with us, ” they  pleaded. Disregarding their persistent pleas, I walked in the kitchen where I saw my wife cooking supper. I told her I was going to the bedroom and wanted to be left alone and asked her to keep  the babies out.

The room was dark and stayed dark as I fell upon the bed. Some time later I arose, walked to the closet,

reached up, grabbed the shoe box, and began to feel for the Derringer. It wasn’t there! I knew it had to be there. No one else knew where I kept it, not even my  wife. Dismayed and angry, I returned supine on the bed, and in the darkness, with eyes shut, I asked GOD to take my life.

Half an hour or so later, suddenly, without a knock, the door flew open. Light illuminating from the kitchen made its way down the hall enveloped this huge silhouette. I was mystified! “Who and what?” I thought to myself as this “mysterious figure” entered the room. He calmly walked in, sat on my bed, and began to speak. His words began to penetrate my spirit and soul. The next thing I knew, I was sitting up and crying on his shoulder, literally bawling my eyes out.

After speaking to me, and to this day,

I have no recollection of what he said. He hugged me and began to pray. As he prayed, the presence of GOD overtook my broken spirit and began to heal my broken heart.

I don’t know how long I was wailing and don’t know how long he was there; all I know is a heavy-burden lifted off my shoulders and a peace beyond description overwhelmed me. As he stood up to leave, I thanked him and told him how much relief I felt.

After he left, I arose from the bed, walked to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water, dried off, and walked into the kitchen where I saw my wife loading the dishwasher. The babies yelled out from the living room floor “daddy, daddy.” I gave my wife a kiss, then jumped on the floor, grabbing and rolling with our babies in laughter.

As I sat to eat supper, I asked my wife how her uncle wound up in our bedroom. She replied that she heard a knock on the door, and it was Manuel. Manuel asked me where you were and I told him you were down the hall in the bedroom. He said “okay.” I asked her if she knew he was coming, and she said she didn’t. She said she had no idea why he wanted to talk to me.

Later on that night, as I laid in bed reflecting on the mysterious day’s events, my curiosity began to set in, and I wanted to know how Manuel knew I was in such distress. Before falling asleep, I made a mental note that I would call Manuel the next afternoon when he got in from work. I had to know!

Part three of this three part story will appear in the next edition ofthe “G-1 Newsletter. ”