Standing Strong
Dear Judy,
I am shocked at how so many churches and pastors are still choosing not to worship together in person as a congregation. And many of those churches that are meeting are requiring people to wear a mask, even while praying! Jesus set me free from drugs and alcohol and I believe strongly that He can keep a virus from taking me out! What do you think about all this?
Dear Standing Strong,
I also am shocked! I too was set free from drugs and alcohol! I was like you, right in the middle of the enemy’s camp when Jesus came into my life and set me free. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) The word free means to liberate or deliver! I have used your exact words. If I have been delivered from those horrible things, no virus is going to take me out. People also say, the mask is not for me but I am afraid I will hurt someone else. The word fear should not be in our vocabulary except to fear the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. Fear of the Lord is to reverence Him! Believing His words is giving Him reverence!
I also know I am not my own but I belong to the Lord and I am to live like He is in me and shining His light through me in this very dark world! I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:20-21)
Hope this helps you and all the readers to rise up!
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February 2025 Dear Judy, I hear the word “saved” a lot. Can you explain what “saved” is? And how do you get it? --Anonymous
Well, let me start with the most important thing you bring up. I noticed the word I THINK in your question. Just because you go to church does not mean you are a born-again believer.
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Everywhere we look, so many people are going through horrible things. Every time I take a hot shower, the Lord brings to my mind how many people have no water at all! Bad weather and fires have destroyed so many lives. People without the Lord have no hope. But those who have received Jesus as their personal Savior and are trusting HIM and His Promises found in their manual for success (the Bible) – they have hope!
Have you ever thought about the word “wilderness” and what that means for the Christian and the non-Christian? To be a Christian we must believe—which is to trust and have confidence that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again! Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
STAY WATCHFUL! I am sure we can all agree, 2025 started off with much tragedy and woe! Terrorist attacks killing many, devastating fires in the LA area, a horrible plane and helicopter collision, and another plane crash two days later! Many families in mourning. Truly, the devil is out to steal, kill, and destroy, and sadly, he’s doing a good job at it. But remember, our Lord is far greater than the devil, and He is ultimately in control.
Christianity 101—Life with God after Salvation We are living in very tough times that are only getting harder. As followers of Jesus, we should be strong in the Lord and full of faith, experiencing the God of the impossible. But are we? Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I believe Jesus is looking at us and our fellowships and asking if we truly believe this. Are we living this Scripture out to a watching world?