Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Tag: In Christ (Page 1 of 3)

Life's bombs fall... Refuge is in Christ

The Bombs Fall on Everyone—Hope Belongs to Those in Christ

August 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I’ve seen films of war where airplanes dropped bomb after bomb after bomb, maiming, destroying, and taking lives. It seems life hits our families or us much the same way now and then, only the bombs are labeled “health”, “financial”, “stress”, “betrayal”, “loss”, etc. These bombs are not precise; they may hit once in a while or come as a barrage, landing on both those close to God and those far away. One minute, life is excellent; then suddenly, it’s a roller coaster (John 16:33).

For those in Christ building a firm foundation (Galatians 3:26-27), there is hope and assurance that these heartaches and concerns will all pass away, as they are not carried into eternity (Revelation 21:4). For those in Christ, there is always a bright future, a light in our bomb shelter of faith, in Christ our Savior (Romans 6:3-4, Romans 13:14).

Those in Christ who keep Jesus’ commandments always have refuge in God’s promises (Psalm 46:1), knowing this world is only a temporary home.(Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Whether our troubles are few or continually bombarding our lives, what really matters is Jesus’s promise of eternal life. In heaven, the challenges of this world will be gone forever. So, no matter what, we need to keep God First in our lives, follow Jesus ’ commands, follow the examples we find in God’s Word so that, as we trudge through the mud of life, we can be content in knowing we will eventually walk the streets of gold in new heavenly bodies for eternity. No tears in heaven, no sorrows given. All will be glory in that land.

Scripture tells us how one comes to be ‘in Christ’ and to ‘put on Christ’: we are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; see also Romans 6:3-4).

“In Christ” is where one finds peace beyond our understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 2:12, Matthew 7:24-25, Psalm 16:1, Psalm 46:1-5, Mark 8:34, John 14:27, John 15:19, John 18:36, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26-28, Hebrews 11:13-16, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 1 John 2:15, 2 John 15:19

God First!

Praying for the ultimate well-being of others: That they hear and follow the message of Christ Romans 10:17 – directly links hearing the message of Christ to faith Mark 16:16 – shows the response of believing and obeying (following) that leads to salvation 2 Peter 3:9 – reveals God’s heart for the well-being of all people through repentance

The Best Thing We Can Pray for Anyone’s Well-Being

August 22, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Do you pray for the well-being of others?

As I was praying I asked myself this question: What is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being? There are many possible answers: One might think of health, happiness, peace, Joy or maybe something more specific that we know they need or want. But, what is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being?

That they hear and follow the message of Christ!

Following Christ according to His commandments keeps us on a pathway towards eternal life with Christ, According to God’s word, to be “in Christ, ” we must hear the message of Christ, believe, repent, confess Jesus as the risen Son of God, and be baptized “into” Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of our sins.

We need to realize that when we come out of that watery grave, we are doing God’s will and have ratified God’s Grace through Jesus. At this point, we are forgiven! We are free from our past sins, beginning a new life as a new creature, and ready to move forward as disciples of Christ, enjoying all the blessings that come with our obedient faith, like the knowledge that we now have never-ending life available to us in heaven, a spiritual world not made with human hands, where there is no more pain, tears, or death. That if we have put on Christ, we have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us, helping us focus on righteousness and walk this world without being of this world. If we are IN Christ, we can take comfort in knowing the blood of Christ continues to wash us, even when we make mistakes.

So, what is the best thing for anybody’s well-being? – The message of Christ!

1 John 5:3; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:37-47; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 8:30-38; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:15-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 17:10; James 2:17-18; 1 Peter 1:17-25; 1 John 1:7; Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; John 3:5; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26.

God First!

66 Books of God's Absolute Truth - Learn them all

66 Books of Absolute Truth: Why We Must Learn Them All

August 21, 2026 / / 0 Comments

The Holy Bible contains 66 Books of God-breathed wisdom and instruction that our Creator assembled for our betterment and understanding. The Old Testament has 39 books of “before Christ” history, including hundreds of prophecies about Christ written hundreds of years before His birth. The New Testament has 27 books about the Son of God, Jesus, and how our souls can obtain eternal life with God in Heaven through Christ. Together, these books show how anyone can accept God’s offer of grace through obedient faith in Christ, and how we can each “Put on” Christ and be “In” Christ.

Scripture defines “obedient faith.” It tells us how to lay up treasures in heavenly places and have our souls live forever in a heavenly home not made with hands. God’s Word shows us how God extended grace to us through Christ.

Scripture states and gives examples that when we hear the message of Christ, this understanding leads us to believe in Christ. Still, Scripture also shows that belief alone is not enough, as it states, “demons believe and shudder” (James 2:19) Hence, our belief leads us to repentance (a decision to change direction and follow Christ), We then find we are to confess Christ as the living Son of God before others however; to have our sins forgiven we must also be immersed into the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of our sins, This according to to God’s word rather than mans idea’s is when we are forgiven of our sins and begin our walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-11; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21) New Testament scripture also stresses the importance of sharing the gospel and teaching others.

However, how can we teach what we do not know? – We need to study!

Our children need us to study! Why? – So we can accurately teach them God’s word and share the message of eternal salvation with them and to the whole world, according to God’s Will. Only through understanding and obedient faith can we know peace beyond our comprehension and have confidence in eternal life with Jesus. Don’t we want that?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

  • Grace: Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17, John 8:32
  • Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
  • Repentance: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
  • Confess: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
  • Baptism by immersion for forgiveness of sin: – Mark 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12; John 3:5; Ephesians 4:5; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 John 3:7; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 28:19-20

God First!

Alzheimer’s and change

July 8, 2026 / / 3 Comments

The point to the attached meme is not lost on me. However, I have also discovered that things may not be what they seem on the surface. My wife once had issues with her “pew seat” as her Alzheimer’s progressed. You see, for such patients, small changes can be big issues; even a simple change, like having to sit in a different location, can be a problem as they are losing their ability to understand the change.

This was during an earlier period of the disease; where she would sometimes say loudly, “They’re sitting in our seat or some other irritated remark, and she would sometimes become discombobulated when she couldn’t find and sit in her usual seat. I would then try to get her to understand it’s not a big deal and sit elsewhere with her.

Alzheimer’s or other dementia-type diseases don’t always stand out in appearance. For a very long time, people would talk to my wife occasionally and have no idea she was on this downward journey.

My reason for addressing the message behind this meme is to draw attention to the possibility that, before we assume rudeness is intentional or unchristian-like, maybe we should consider that there may be more to the situation than we see on the surface. Maybe it would help to assume there is such an issue and draw on our compassion rather than frustration or judgment in such a situation. I’m sure that if a Christian knows there’s a reason like this behind someone’s attitude, they would be more than happy to accommodate them.

Today, because of the progression of this disease, that issue is gone as we are not able to attend services as we used to.

I hate Alzheimer’s

  • Colossians 3:12
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God First!

What's not to love about Christianity?

What’s not to love about Christianity?

June 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Unless one’s goals are to do evil, what’s not to love about Christianity?

Christianity promotes: (Goodwill, Kindness, Love, Honesty, Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Sharing, Sanctity of Life, etc.) “All things good!”

Christianity opposes: (Lies, Thievery, Corruption, Greed, Dishonesty, Revenge, Murder, Hatred, Deceitfulness, selfishness, hate, etc.) “All things bad!”

Utopia on earth is NOT possible, but if everyone embraced the teachings of Christ using God’s Word as our standard, we would be much closer.

  • 1 Corinthians 13
  • Ephesians 4:32
  • Mark 11:25
  • Matthew 6:14-15
  • John 13:34-35
  • Acts 2:38-47
  • Romans 12:19

God First!

Life can be tough; it’s why we need Christ as our foundation.

June 22, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Sometimes life can be very tough, yet in Christ we will find ways to trudge forward. In Christ, we learn to lean on Christ by leaning on God’s Holy Word; to do so, we study and pray to know God’s Word, to know God.

In Christ, we pray with thanksgiving and hope, knowing God will provide. We cling to unwavering faith, knowing that tough times, like storms, eventually fade into sunshine and calm skies.

During seemingly long storms, our roots may be strained, but if we cling to the foundation of Christ, as the storm lifts, our roots will heal, and we will become stronger than ever. Our faith and foundation deepened, adding to our wisdom. Eventually, Good times will bless us again, and what we’ve gained will help us bless others, so that when we look back on our lives, we will find beauty growing along our paths and count it all Joy.

Remember, with God, all things are possible, and the storms will lift.

  • James 1:2-4
  • Matthew 7:24-25
  • Psalm 1:1-3
  • Jeremiah 17:7-8
  • Philippians 4:6
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God First!

Jesus Completes Me

GOD -FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY?

June 20, 2026 / / 0 Comments

As a young adult, I remember thinking and touting that no matter what my plight, I can make the best of any situation. Now, as an aged Adult, my thoughts and words have been severely tested. What I should have been thinking and saying is that with Christ, no matter what my plight, we can make the best of any situation.  Virginia and I lived many of our early years together, treating God as if He were in a drawer labeled ” FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY.”  Looking back, I now recognize many lifelong repercussions from those years. Without Christ and His Church at the forefront and center of our lives, we were broken wrecks, unintentionally causing trickle-down harm through our choices by our examples.

Like us in these early days, many who are not baptized into Christ, who do not put God First in their lives, and who are not an active part of the Church Christ established, may not understand what I am saying here, but I can tell you our lives and relationship became significantly better after we chose to include and live for Christ daily.

Only through understanding, belief, and doing God’s will according to His will, in other words, through our faith in Christ, did we have the strength and comfort needed to endure some of the most difficult times—unexpected losses, financial struggles, and, currently, my wife’s Alzheimer’s. Without Jesus, we are broken; with Jesus, we are whole.

In the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire, a now-famous line is: “You complete me!”

This is what Jesus really does for those who pick up the cross and follow Him. Jesus completes us!

The Apostle Paul had it right…

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11)

We Can Do All Things Through Him who strengthens us.

Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Philippians 4:7, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:38-41, James 1:2-4

God First!

Darkness may win a few fights, but in the end, it loses the battle

Overcoming Darkness

May 19, 2026 / / 0 Comments

One thing is certain: when you’re on the right side, you are simply on the Right side. No matter how long it takes, no matter how many lies are told, truth eventually shines through. Let the light in your heart shine, and it will overcome darkness.

“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:5-7

  • John 1:5
  • John 8:12
  • Psalm 18:28

God First!

Wow, if only the Apostle Peter Knew

Wow, if only the Apostle Peter knew

April 3, 2026 / / 0 Comments

On the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the first gospel sermon, do you wonder why? Why is it that when Peter and the other Apostles (in Acts 2) were asked by the crowd whose hearts had just been pierced by the message of Christ,” Brothers, what do we do?”

Why did Peter NOT answer the crowd’s question with: “Accept Jesus into your heart and recite with me these words in a prayer, and you will be forgiven, you will be saved.”

WOW, if only the Apostle Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, had known what many people claim today. That they could “just” accept Jesus into their hearts and recite a prayer to be saved; however, that’s “NOT” how Peter answered.

Peter never said, “baptism is an outward sign of an inward decision.” In fact, no such prayer is found in God’s Word. INSTEAD, Peter (filled with the Holy Spirit) tells them exactly what God wanted them to do… “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)

None of Peter’s responses indicates that any of God’s instructions were mutually exclusive.

In verse 41, God’s Holy Word says: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41 ESV)

So, right after they received the message of Christ, they immediately followed the Apostle’s instructions and were immersed in the waters of baptism. They could have set appointments; they could have done so in small groups over weeks, but instead, we find urgency is implied: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

That day, about 3000 souls were added to the Church! (Don’t you know that took a while?)

These scriptures show us that hearing, believing, repenting, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is how we obtain the Holy Spirit.

Who did the adding? Who was being saved? Verse 47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47 ESV)

Please, don’t take my word for it. Take God’s word for it. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

Below are several passages on Grace, belief, repentance, confessing Jesus’ name, and baptism for study.

• Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11

• Belief/Faith: – Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19

• Repentance: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30

• Confess: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9

• Baptism by immersion: – Matthew 16:15-16 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God First!

SATAN IS THE EVIL ONE

SATAN IS THE EVIL ONE

March 28, 2026 / / 0 Comments

 – If you feel farther away from God today than you have in the past, the question becomes, WHO MOVED? HINT: it was NOT God.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 ESV

It stands to reason that the opposite is also true if we move away from God.

“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,” Romans 1:28 NASB

– If there is any evil in it, it is not from God

  • “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” James 1:13 NASB
  • “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all.” (1 JOHN 1:5 NASB)

– God is Love

  • “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 JOHN 4:8 NASB)

– God is Good

  • “For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” PSALMS 100:5 ESV

– All the Time

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” ISAIAH 5:20

Sometimes, we are tempted to blame God when our hearts are torn in anguish and pain. We struggle to reason why tragic things happen to good people, innocent children, loved ones, or maybe to ourselves. We might ask, why me? Why us? Why them? We may experience a tragic loss or have other life-altering events we don’t understand. Crime, Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Covid, Heart issues, Blood or Breathing issues, accidents, Lyme disease, to name only a few.

We want an explanation, we want to assign blame, but blaming God is misplaced.

As we see from the scriptures above, there is NO evil in God. There is, however, refuge, hope, and prayers answered. There is the possibility of eternal life in heaven for those who choose to become “In Christ” and keep His commandments according to God’s will, NOT our own.

“For He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)

Satan is the evil one; take refuge in Jesus. When we move away from Jesus, we are moving closer to Satan; closer to forever tears.

Jesus is our only hope for eternal life, where there are no illnesses, pain, or tears. Where our souls will live with new bodies, and our hopes become reality forever in heaven with pure love.

Acts 2:38-41, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Colossians 2:11-13, Romans 6:4-5, John 3:5, Mark 16:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5, Matthew 28:19–20, Acts 10:48

God First!

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