Being utterly alone in a walk no one can understand or see is grueling and every step takes everything you have to not cave into the pit that the fallen are trying hard to trip you into and manipulate you into. The mental anguish is heavy. The blanketed weight is so hard to even drag around. In these present times, you can be surrounded by folk who pride themselves on the appearance of "Christianity" but void of the character markings of Jesus Christ. Recognition and Popularity are the sign of the times and the deep rooted egoism is only branching out. God, save me from myself. I beg of your divine ax to lay its blade to root or shaft that is within me and would cause me to stumble and blind myself so much so that would lead my direction into darkness and blind my spiritual eyes to not even see that I'm doing so. Lay your ax to the root of any sliver of self righteousness or such low self esteem that jealousy would give way to a door that the evil ones use to divide but let me understand the difference between pride and your authority within me. Let me be kind to others even if they are mean, ugly and rude especially, the ones calling themselves followers of your word. Let me rise up again and walk with your name saturated in my entire existence. Amen

From Spots to Sanctification: The Power of the Savior
Dr. Xavier Cravenwolfe, ThD

Primary Scripture: Jeremiah 13:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Introduction: The Dilemma of the Leopard
The ancient prophet Jeremiah once posed a rhetorical question that echoes through the halls of human history: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?" The biological answer is a resounding no. A leopard is defined by its markings; they are woven into its very DNA. In the same way, we often feel trapped by the "spots" of our own nature—the recurring failures, the secret vulnerabilities, and the deep-seated struggles we carry in the quiet of our hearts. We try self-help, we try resolutions, and we try masks to hide our brokenness, but the internal spots remain. However, the Gospel introduces a divine "but." While a leopard cannot change its spots, we serve a Savior who meets us in our mess, doesn't just cover our flaws, but recreates the very heart beneath them through a personal, intimate grace.

I. The Limitation of Natural Strength
The first truth we must encounter is the reality of our own spiritual inertia. Left to our own devices, we are fixed in our ways, often hiding our true struggles behind a facade of strength.

The Biology of Sin and Shame: Just as the leopard’s spots are part of its identity, our fallen nature and the shame that accompanies it are deeply ingrained. We are not just people who make mistakes; we are beings who feel defined by our vulnerabilities and the weight of our past.
The Fatigue of Performance: Willpower and self-reform can polish our exterior, but they cannot heal the heart. Trying to change ourselves is like a leopard trying to scrub away its spots—it only leads to exhaustion and deeper frustration when the core remains unchanged.
The Weight of "Cannot": We must come to the end of our own "can." Acceptance of our inability to self-sanctify is the necessary starting point for grace.
II. The Intervention of the Sovereign Savior
Where nature is fixed, Grace is fluid and powerful. The Savior enters our narrative not as a distant judge, but as a Companion who understands our weaknesses and offers a total internal overhaul.

The Substitutionary Work: On the Cross, the Savior took on the "spots" of our sin. He who was spotless became the sacrifice so that the stained could be made clean.
Radical Vulnerability and Metamorphosis: True transformation begins when we stop hiding. The word metamorphoo implies a change so profound that the old form is unrecognizable. Grace doesn't just fix our habits; it transforms our very essence, turning our deepest struggles into platforms for His power.
The Power of the Blood: In the economy of God, the blood of Christ has a chemical reaction with the human soul that defies natural law—it washes the crimson stain of sin into the white purity of wool.
III. The New Identity: From Sinner to Saint
The final movement of this miracle is the emergence of the "New Creation." This is the practical evidence of the Savior's work—a life lived with a new heart and a new purpose.

A Heart Transplant of Desire: Because the Savior changes the heart, our deepest longings begin to shift. We find ourselves released from the gravity of our old struggles, discovering a new nature that desires the things of God naturally, not out of religious obligation.
The Definition of a Saint: A saint is not a person who never sinned; a saint is a sinner who has been completely claimed and recalibrated by Jesus Christ. Our identity is no longer defined by our "spots" (past failures) but by our "Sonship" (present standing).
Authentic Living in the New Skin: The believer is called to "put on the new man," which means living with the freedom to be vulnerable. We no longer act like the leopard of our past because our identity is anchored in the Lamb, allowing us to face the world without masks.
Conclusion: The Miracle of Change
We live in a world that tells you "you are who you are," and "people never change." But the empty tomb stands as a monument against that lie. You are not a prisoner to your secret struggles, your past, or your recurring patterns of failure. The leopard is bound by its spots, but you are invited into the liberty of a heart-level transformation. Today, the Savior stands ready to do what no amount of grit or willpower can achieve. He doesn't just want to make you more "put together"; He wants to heal your heart and make you a new creation. Will you stop trying to scrub your own spots and finally surrender to the One whose grace can turn a weary sinner into a joyful saint?

The Present Truth # 12
The Sign of the Living God.

In India, many of the people have unusual markings on their foreheads and sometimes on their faces. These are in a number of shapes and sizes. Each of these marks represents a different deity of India to which the bearers are devoted.

The true God also has a sign which identifies Him and His people. His sign is very clear and distinctive, and all who are marked by it are clearly identified. This sign is not a visible marking on any part of the body or clothing, nor is it a particular symbol displayed on a banner. It is much more enduring than any material mark. It is, in fact, eternal and indestructible. What is this mark?

The Sign of Our God
“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20:20.

The Sabbath of God is the sign between Him and His people. It is the mark of distinction by which men and women show allegiance to the Creator and indicate to the world that He is their God.

When the work of Creation was finished, the Creator pronounced it “very good.” Creation was an act that no other being in the universe could accomplish. It was a demonstration of the almighty power of God. It instituted a weekly cycle, commemorated in the weekly Sabbath, as a perpetual symbol of His great power to create.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3.

“Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:12-15.

The Sabbath is also the symbol of God’s power to sanctify: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Exodus 31:12, 13.

The Sign of Jesus' Power
It was Jesus who created the heavens and the earth. This fact is clearly set forth by the apostle Paul: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:13-17.

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:1, 2.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Saviour of man, was the Creator. And since the Sabbath was given as a sign of the Creator, the Sabbath is Christ’s sign. He gave it to man as a constant reminder that He who is our Creator, is also our Saviour (with power to save). He said: “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” Mark 2:28.

When Was the Sabbath Given?
The Sabbath is often claimed to be only for the Jews, because the written commandment to keep it was first given to Israel on Mount Sinai. But the Sabbath existed long before then. If that were not so, the commandment to observe it would not have commenced with the word; “Remember . . . ” (Exodus 20:8). To remember is commemorative. The Israelites were reminded to remember creation, not their deliverance from Egypt.

The Sabbath was given to humanity on the seventh day of the creation week.

In Genesis 2:2, 3 we read of the special blessing which was placed on the Sabbath. We read that the Lord:

a) Rested on the Seventh day;

b) Blessed the Seventh day; and

a) Sanctified the Seventh day.

To sanctify means to set apart for a holy use.

The Sabbath is a very special day, not just one-seventh part of time, but “the seventh day.” The Sabbath is an institution that cannot he shifted from one day to another. It is fixed as the seventh day of the week.

It was not an institution that the Lord blessed, but a day. Therefore, if the seventh day is separated from the Sabbath, the Sabbath is destroyed.

The Sign of Salvation and Sanctification
The same power of Christ as was manifested in the original creation is also manifested in His power to save people from sin. Salvation is re-creation. The old, sinful, carnal nature dies and a new heart is created: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27.

Again, no other power in the universe is able to do this. We cannot change ourselves, no one can, except Christ.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25.

The Lord Himself declared through the prophet Ezekiel; “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. . . . And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20:12, 20.

Here the Sabbath is declared to be the symbol of His power to sanctify. Wherever there is a manifestation of the power of God, whether in the work of creation, deliverance or sanctification, there we find the Sabbath as its symbol. As long as the power of God exists, the Sabbath will remain as His symbol.

Which Is the Lord’s Day?
Because Christ instituted the Sabbath and commanded His people to keep it as a sign between Him and them, it is not surprising that Christ Himself, as a man on earth, kept the Sabbath holy: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16.

As a Sabbathkeeper it was His custom to go to the synagogue on the day. Later, as Jesus foretold the overflow of Jerusalem by the Roman Armies and warned His people to flee from the doomed city, he added; “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.” Matthew 24:20.

It was not until the year A.D. 70 that this prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus thereby indicated that he recognized the continuing sanctity of the Sabbath and expected that this sanctity would not be lessened after His death, resurrection, or ascension,

When speaking to the Pharisees one day, Jesus declared: “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” Mark 2:27, 28.

If, therefore, the son of man is the Lord of the Sabbath, the Sabbath must be the “Lord’s day.” Isaiah agrees with this: “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:13, 14.

How Should the Sabbath Be Kept?
From the Bible record the day begins and finishes at sunset. It is clearly seen in the creation record in the first chapter of Genesis. After each day of creation it is declared that the “evening and the morning” formed that day. In other words: the dark part preceded the light part of the day. This is a logical and natural division of time. With regard to the Sabbath it is the same:

“. . . from even unto even, shalt ye celebrate your sabbath.” Leviticus 23:32 (last part).

We too are therefore enjoined to commence the Sabbath at sunset on the sixth day of the week, and to end it at sunset on the seventh day.

The Lord instructed His people Israel to offer a morning and evening sacrifice. Thus each family gathered to worship God each morning and evening. In like manner, Christian Sabbath-keepers gather together every day for morning and evening worship, especially at the beginning and closing of the holy Sabbath at the sunset hour.

We are commanded to carry out all our work in the six working days, while the Sabbath is to be wholly set aside for the study of God’s Word and the wonderful works of creation and for worship.

“Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant; nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” Exodus 20:9, 10.

It is interesting to note that preparation of food was also not to be done on Sabbath. This was to be carried out on the previous day, known as “the day of preparation” (Mark 15:42). This lesson was taught to the children of Israel by a special miracle. After leading them out of Egypt, the Lord provided food for them for 40 years while they were in the wilderness. On the first five days of the week, manna lay on the ground every morning. If they collected extra for the next day, it went bad. But on the morning of the sixth day a double portion fell and it kept fresh until the Sabbath was over.

“And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to he kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.” Exodus 16:22-27.

True Christians should also prepare their food for the Sabbath on Friday.

Jesus taught that there is one kind of work which can be done on the Sabbath. He demonstrated it in works of mercy, caring for the sick, and saving the life of man and beast.

On the Sabbath we should not speak about our daily work, nor allow our thoughts to dwell on our personal interests. It is not a day to be spent in pleasure seeking, for the whole day is to he devoted to the Lord, This is the delight of all who love the Lord, “. . . not doing thine own ways.” Isaiah 58:13.

As the Lord is eternal, so is His Sabbath. In heaven and on the earth made new, the redeemed together with angels and the unfallen beings of other worlds, will come together on the Sabbath to worship their Creator.

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23.

Dear friend, Will you not accept the Lord’s command and keep His Sabbath day holy? Join with God’s people as they worship each Sabbath day.

A strong case can be made that Amenhotep II fits best as the Pharaoh of the Exodus when the Bible is read in a straightforward way. Many scholars who use this timeline place the Exodus around 1446 BC. That date lines up naturally with the time Amenhotep II ruled Egypt, without needing to adjust the biblical account or stretch the timeline.
One important detail in the Bible is that during the final plague in Egypt, the firstborn sons died. In the traditional line of Pharaohs, the throne normally passed from father to firstborn son. But in the case of Amenhotep II, his firstborn son did not take the throne after him. Instead, the succession appears disrupted. While this alone is not absolute proof, it is consistent with what the Exodus account describes.
Another key part of the timeline involves Moses himself. The Bible says Moses fled Egypt and lived in Midian for about 40 years before returning. It also says the Pharaoh who originally wanted to kill him died during that time. This detail fits well with Pharaoh Thutmose III, who ruled Egypt for over 40 years. In this view, Moses would have fled during Thutmose III’s reign, stayed in Midian for decades, and only returned after his death. He would then have confronted the next Pharaoh—Amenhotep II. This sequence matches the biblical story in a straightforward way without needing to adjust the timing.
The physical evidence from the mummies of Amenhotep II and his son provides another compelling link. Both bodies show evidence of unusual skin lesions and boils, which mirror the Sixth Plague described in the Bible as "festering boils" that broke out across Egypt. While mainstream researchers often view these as common skin conditions, it is highly significant that these specific markings appear on the very Pharaoh and heir who fit the Exodus timeline. When added to the other evidence, these physical signs serve as a visible connection to the plagues that the biblical account says devastated the land.
On the other hand, many people associate the Exodus with Ramesses II simply because the Bible mentions a city called “Raamses.” However, this is likely a case of the Bible using an updated place name that was more familiar to later readers, rather than a chronological marker for the Pharaoh himself. We see this exact pattern elsewhere in Scripture; for example, the Book of Joshua refers to the city of “Lachish,” even though that name wasn't actually given to the city until much later. Just as the Bible used the name Lachish to help later readers identify a location, it likely used “Raamses” to describe the region where the Israelites lived. This theory faces further problems when looking at the physical evidence: while the mummy of Amenhotep II shows the unusual skin boils consistent with the Sixth Plague, the mummy of Ramesses II shows no such markings. Furthermore, the reign of Ramesses’ father, Seti I, was far too short to accommodate Moses’ 40 years in Midian, creating a level of chronological tension that the Amenhotep II model simply doesn't have.
When all of this is considered together—the death of the firstborn, the broken line of succession, the timing of Moses’ exile, the long reign of Thutmose III, and the debated physical observations—the Amenhotep II view fits the biblical timeline in a simple and consistent way. It follows the story as it is written without needing to reshape it to match later assumptions

GUIDELINES FOR LIVING

February 6th, 2026


God is Our Shepherd.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21



“What I believe about God,” said A. W. Tozer, “is the most important thing about me.” He was right, but the problem is that most of us are not really sure what we believe about Him. Most of our knowledge and images of God are second-hand leftovers from our parents, or bad experiences that we conclude are reflections of God.

When God revealed Himself to Moses, He told him that He was Jehovah God—the sum total of existence. The word that was used, Jehovah, was also used in compounds such as “Jehovah our peace,” or “Jehovah our righteousness.” There are a number of these, each of which gives us new insights as to who God is and what His relationship can be with us.

But none of these is more personal and comforting than the one used by David in Psalm 23, where the one who fought Goliath called God Jehovah Ra-ah, or “God my shepherd.” Remember how David began, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd ….”

Before him, Jacob had blessed his grandsons, saying, “God who has been my Shepherd all my life to this day … may he bless these boys” (Genesis 48:15). If God is the shepherd, then obviously, we are the sheep—and sheep are among the dumbest but most dependent of all creatures that God ever made.

Some animals can outrun their enemies. They are fleet of foot. But not sheep. Others have great strength. They can defeat their enemies. But not sheep. Yet others can still hide from their enemies. Their markings blend in camouflage. But not sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for protection, for guidance, for help when they fall, and for strength when they are weak.

Is it any wonder Jesus looked at the multitude who had come to hear him speak, and seeing their lives, was moved with compassion, describing them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd?” (Matthew 9:36).

“I am the Good shepherd,” he said, adding that “the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (see John 10:11). One of the big differences between the Old and New Testaments is that in the Old, the lamb gave his life for the shepherd, but in the New, the Shepherd gave His life for the sheep.

Bringing this home, and making it quite personal, may I ask, “How would you describe your personal relationship with God?” That of someone wanting to escape from a policeman, thinking that God carries a big stick and is out to get you? Or rather, would you think of yourself as one fruitlessly searching for Him—wherever He is out there, somewhere, wondering if your search will ever be successful? Or have you established the kind of relationship with God that David had as he could say, “The Lord is my shepherd,” making it very personal?

Long ago the prophet Isaiah described us as sheep who had gone astray. He said “each of us has turned to his own way,” and in those simple words, we have the dilemma that confronts us. Having turned from the care of the shepherd, we have strayed far, far from the kingdom of peace. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

The good news, however, is that the shepherd never gives up seeking and finding those of us who have strayed. A generation ago, we used to sing a song when pastors invited people to Christ. And the words went, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home. Ye who are weary, come home.” Thank God, He is still calling.

Resource reading: John 10:1-18

Kajungu Boaz Kyarimpa:
Before killing me, the killers decided that I should dig my own grave. As I was digging, I was also praying. “Lord, I believe you can deliver me. You can protect me from being killed by these people. I’ve preached about Daniel in the lion’s den, and about how you delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Are you still the same God? You can show me now. Please give me that faith.”
I was hoping that God would give me wings to fly away, or that He would send fire from heaven. But God answered in a much different way from what I could have imagined.
As I was digging the grave, one of the killers picked up my Bible and was looking at it. Noticing the many markings in it he asked, “What do all these colors mean?”
“Those are my favorite verses,” I said.
Interested, the man started reading the many highlighted verses. “Are you sure you’ve read all of these?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes,” I responded. I could see that the man had some pity for me.
Turning to his fellow killers he said, “Friends, I know we’re going to kill this man, but please let me help him dig!”
The leader nodded and the man jumped into the hole with me and started digging. “Lord, I prayed, “this grave is going to be finished quickly now. What are You going to do?”
God had a plan, but sometimes we want to try and force God to answer our prayers in the way that we think is best, rather than just trusting Him.
To my surprise, as soon as we were finished digging, the grave digging killer said to his colleagues, “Why should we use the grave for this man we don’t even know? Let him go and dig another grave near the highway. This is our field; why should we bury him here?”
The group agreed, and decided to use the grave for another man they had just killed. Then ironically, one of the killers said, “Before we bury that man, why don’t we pray for him.”
I watched as the group gathered around the body of the person they had just killed before coming after me. “Mary, mother of Jesus, receive him,” they said before rolling the corpse into the grave that had been meant for me.
All of a sudden my entire outlook changed. “Lord!” I gasped, “Don’t allow me to be separated from these people before I tell them who You are! These are people who have never heard about You. They think they can pray for someone they have killed. And we are partly responsible. We never came and taught them the truth about You.”
Right after they buried that man, we moved closer to the highway. I was about to start digging another grave when the man who had my Bible asked if he could keep it. I said, “yes,” but the other killers told him “No! It’s ours—you’ll have to pay for it!”
I could see that the Holy Spirit had already touched this man’s heart, so I begged him, “Please, can I have that Bible and say something before I dig another grave?”
The man was excited and said, “Go ahead!” but another one shouted, “No! He’s our enemy. He has nothing to tell us.”
Then the arguing became very sharp, with some of the group insisting that I should be given the opportunity to speak, while others insisted that I had nothing to say. Just when it appeared that the killers were going to fight each other, one who appeared older than the others asked, “Why are you going to fight over someone you don’t even know? Those who want to listen, sit and listen; others, sit and shut your ears. When he’s done, we’ll kill him.”
So they all sat down and I started to preach.
First, I thanked them. “Thank you for praying for somebody that you have killed. However, you need to understand what the Bible says about death—the only chance you have to be saved is during your lifetime—not after you are dead. ‘For the living know that they will die,’ I quoted from Eccl. 9:5, ‘but the dead know nothing.’ I’m not going to plead for you to let me go, I continued, because I know that even if you kill me a time is coming when I will be resurrected.
“Among the people you are killing are another tribe—they are not Hutu or Tutsis. They are God’s children. You think that you’re fighting a tribal war, but you’re mistaken. This is a war between Christ and Satan. You think that the people you’re killing are Tutsis, but they belong to a totally different tribe because they have given their hearts to Jesus and they are His children.”
Then I read 1 Peter 2:9-10 to them: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
As I preached, I could see some of the killers were crying, and I knew that the Holy Spirit was working on their hearts. After preaching for 15 to 20 minutes I told the group, “Now I’m going to say a final prayer, and after that I will dig another grave.”
As soon as I finished praying, someone shouted, “If anyone kills this person, his blood be upon them!”
“No, we can’t kill him!” the others said. “Let him go! We can’t kill him.”
Then the leader spoke up. “I was the one who suggested that we kill this man in a very bad way. But now, we’re not going to kill him.”
I knew it was only by God’s grace that my life was spared. Who am I? I didn’t have any power. God was just kind.
During the approximately 100-day genocide from April 7 to mid-July, 1994, approximately 1 million people were killed, including my entire family. But even though I came face to face with death numerous times, the Lord always saw fit to spare my life.
Written by Kajungu Boaz Kyarimpa

1,300-Year-Old Communion Bread Bearing Image of “Farmer Christ” Discovered in Ancient Eirenopolis
Archaeologists working in Karaman Province, Turkey—the site of ancient Eirenopolis—have made an incredible discovery: five loaves of carbonized bread dating back nearly 1,300 years (around the 7th–8th century AD). What makes this find extraordinary is that one of the loaves bears an image of Christ Himself — but not in the traditional style seen in church mosaics or icons.
Instead, this unique image portrays Jesus as a humble farmer or sower, connecting directly to His own parables about planting, growing, and reaping (Matthew 13). Alongside the image is a Greek inscription translating to “With our thanks to Blessed Jesus.”
The other loaves display cross-shaped markings, suggesting they were used in Christian worship, possibly during communion or as part of early church gatherings in this region. Bread was, of course, the central symbol of Christ’s sacrifice — “This is My body, given for you” (Luke 22:19).
Experts believe the “Farmer Christ” imagery may have reflected how believers in rural communities viewed their Savior: as Lord of both the harvest and the soul — the One who provides physical food and eternal life. This depiction beautifully ties faith to everyday life, reminding us that Jesus is present not only in the temple, but in the fields, the homes, and the labor of His people.
Though ancient, the message endures: Christ is the Sower of Life, planting the seed of truth in every heart willing to receive it.
A Message for Today
This ancient loaf of bread, marked with Christ’s image, is a powerful reminder that even in the simplest things — like a piece of bread baked over a fire — early Christians remembered their Savior with gratitude.
More than a historical find, it’s a living testimony of faith:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Luke 10:2
Jesus is still sowing His Word across the world today — and each of us is called to take part in that harvest.

Marked Christian .
E.J.M.
Marked Men
In the Word of God, several men and groups have been or will be physically and visibly marked by God. At a glance it was, or will be possible, to tell for whom they stood. Were they standing for the cause of Jesus Christ, or did they choose to stand against God?
The first man to be marked by God was Cain, the murderer of his brother, Abel. God cursed Cain for his sin by promising that his farming efforts would be for naught and that he would spend the rest of his life without a permanent home; he would be a vagabond
(Genesis 4:12).
To keep others from killing Cain, God placed a mark on Cain.
The Bible does not further describe what this mark was. Whatever the branding was, one look at Cain, and the people knew he was under the special care of God, and that none should harm him.
Others that will be marked will include 144,000 Jewish, virgin men that will be a group of soul-winners in the beginning of the future, seven-year tribulation
(Rev. 7:3-8).
God will place His seal, His marking, on their foreheads
(Rev. 7:3).
The marking will be God’s name
(Rev. 14:1),
and it will clearly identify them as servants of God at a time when the inhabitants of Earth will not tolerate anyone that stands for God.
Those evangelists will win many to the cause of Jesus Christ and pluck many out of Hell’s grasp. Their efforts will result in their deaths, but they will have a special position in heaven for their stand for Jesus Christ.
Another group that will voluntarily have a mark placed on their hand or forehead will also be seen during the tribulation period
(Rev. 13:15-18).
They will be told that they will not be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark of 666 placed on them. In doing so, they will be branding themselves as part of the anti-christ’s and false prophet’s systems. They might temporarily be able to get food, and what they need to survive; but they will mark themselves as enemies of God and will end up in hell — forever!
These, and others in the Bible, were visibly identified as being for or against God. Although, we are not marked physically, we, too, can be marked. God knows the sway of our heart and our allegiance to or against Him. He knows what we do for Him, and the value we place on abiding by His commandments. We are “marked” in His eyes.
The unsaved world can also often see how we, who claim to be Christians, are “marked.” They see if we are boldly living for Him, or if we will ashamedly back down on biblical principles to blend in with those around us.
Our refusal to pray in a public restaurant, in fear of what others think, will mark us as being like all others that do not claim to be Christians. A cowardly decision not to tell our friends and acquaintances about God’s way of salvation or other biblical teachings will also brand us as being like everyone else, in their eyes. However, a verbal stand for biblical righteousness when we may receive persecution from others will boldly mark us for whom we stand in God’s eyes and on-lookers.
The world is looking for ones with the Truth. They do not know where to look. Unfortunately, many are looking in the wrong places for answers. If you are a Christian, and you cross paths with those unsaved, what markings are they seeing in your behavior and character? Do they know from your actions and words that you are a child of God, or have you hidden Whom you are standing for? For which side are you marked: God’s or Satan’s?
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Jos. 24:15
“Your walk talks louder than your talk talks. ”Pastor James
God Loves You So Do I.

This is most interesting ...
Via Rita Setti
“The radiation on Sindone [Shroud of Turin] has imprinted a three-dimensional layered spectrum. Not even our most sophisticated technology and computers, including laser systems, are able to do it. There is nothing, on the planet, even close to something similar. It's the first and only case. The blood, the rare AB negative type, the lack of the y chromosome found in it, only the x chromosome Kathleen Gilman, the amount of bilirubin [extreme suffering], the sand particles in the area of the injured ankle and knee, with a specific combination of minerals, present only in the area of Golgotha in the world, pollen particles, native species of Jerusalem, and produced specifically in March-April. The spectrum is not a laying/pressing cloth, or surrounding the body on it, but a body suspended in the air, without pressure, radiating from the inside out. Vinegar particles on the beard area, near the mouth.
The power source also had some of the properties of the X-ray. Therefore, certain areas such as hands, the bone phalanges inside the fingers, or the teeth under the lower lip are shown in the 3D spectrum.
During extreme brutal pain the blood doesn’t clot because of a substance released in such conditions by the body. So he bleeds even after he dies. There is blood released before death and blood released after death in the shroud.
The lateral cut has blood and water released from the lung. The cut has the exact dimensions of the speartip used by the Roman army in the 1st century, some of which are preserved and exhibited in archaeological museums.
Roman whips used in the 1st century had 2 metal spheres at their ends. The cuts feature double parallel engravings, all the way down the back of the arms and thighs.
The same specific blood, seeds, facial markings, can be found in the cloth known as the 'sudarium of Oviedo' in Spain. It’s actually a napkin. Scientists have recently discovered that the Sindone [shroud] is not a funeral tarpaulin in size and shape, but rather a tablecloth for Passover dinner of the kind rich families with guests would use. As if someone gave it to bury it, to Yeshua's people, in a hurry.
In Israel, traditionally a person's blood has to be buried with their body. Even now in Israel, when a soldier or civilian is murdered on the street, they clean up the ground and bury this cloth with the body.
The Gospel of John says that the cloth that covered Yeshua’s head was folded and was lying on the side of the stone tomb.
It was recently discovered that the carbon-dated sample was cut from a corner of the Sindone di Turin, which was damaged and repaired by weaving cotton threads into the Sindone linen threads lost from the damaged area around 1400 AD.
This man you are looking at, my dear friend, is Yeshua."
( from the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=christinedarg&set=a.375760369101 )

Shalom!

For those of you who have been judged according to this bible verse below concerning your #tattoos, #markings or #piecing’s, know that you are not alone. However, if and when presented by someone who has aggrieved you, remember this…

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3. In this verse, #Jesus asks why people are often better at seeing faults in others than in themselves.

After they’ve passed down judgement, they may turn to this verse to justify their actions. Leviticus 19:28 "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord".

Be still brothers and sisters of the faith, for #Peace has entered you due to Galatians 3:11. For it is written that, now it is evident that no one is justified before #God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

🖋 Ordm. Diane M. Bazail