I believe the conflict in Iran is not the result of international policy, Israel’s aggression, or the Department of War in the United States. I believe the fundamental root of what’s happening in Iran is the prayers of the underground church, which for decades has faced tremendous persecution and oppression. We’ve heard story after story of Jesus revealing Himself to the people of Iran. And I believe that, in response to those prayers, God has stirred the hearts of the nations to bring a new season of freedom and liberty to the people of Iran.

PRESERVED FLOOD LEGENDS

Across the world, cultures have preserved stories about creation and a great Flood, passed down through generations long before modern communication. What is striking is not just that these stories exist, but how often they echo the same core elements found in Genesis. They point back to a shared memory from real events, not isolated imagination.

One example of these is the Walam Olum, the traditional account of the Lenape tribe (Delaware), which presents a picture that closely parallels the biblical record. It describes an all-powerful Creator who formed the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, and an early earth that began covered in water before land was established. Life was created in stages, including the first mother, and the original world was free from sorrow. Then came a turning point. Evil entered through a serpent, bringing corruption into what had been a good creation.

That same pattern continues into their Flood account. The world becomes filled with wickedness, and judgment follows. A great Flood comes, and only a small number are preserved. The detail that some are saved at a place called “Nana” stands out, echoing the biblical account of Noah in a way that is difficult to ignore. These are not vague similarities. They are specific, repeated themes.

The Walam Olum is not the book of Genesis, but it reflects it in remarkable ways. When you step back and consider that over 300 flood accounts exist across cultures worldwide, all carrying overlapping details, the pattern becomes clear. These are not random myths forming independently. They are fragments of a real event remembered differently as people spread across the earth.

Scripture explains why. Acts 17:26 tells us that God made all nations from one blood and spread them across the face of the earth. If humanity truly shares a common origin, then shared memories of creation and judgment would travel with them. What we are seeing in these accounts is not coincidence. It is history remembered, pointing back to the truth recorded in Genesis.

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The woman who was sentenced to hang in Iran for becoming a Christian just wrote this week that the regime that put a death sentence on her head is now falling — and she says what's coming next for Iran will be even more extraordinary than the military collapse.
Marziyeh Amirizadeh knows what Iran's darkness looks like from the inside. In 2009, she and her fellow house church leader Maryam Rostampour were arrested in Tehran, thrown into the infamous Evin Prison, and sentenced to death by hanging for the "crime" of converting from Islam to Christianity. They had spent years before their arrest distributing 20,000 Bibles across Tehran because God had given Marziyeh a vision: Iran was like a desert with no seeds, and He told her to plant them and trust the Holy Spirit to grow them.
She planted them. She went to prison. She was sentenced to die. And now, writing just this week, she says the harvest is finally coming.
Since the 12-Day War of 2025 decimated Iran's military, its nuclear capabilities, its terror proxies, and ultimately the regime itself — including the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei — Marziyeh has been watching what she believes is the direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy unfolding in real time. The Iranian rial has collapsed. Electricity is scarce. Water is running dry. Mosques that once enforced submission are closing by the thousands. And Iranians — the people her regime spent decades forcing to chant "death to America, death to Israel" — are publicly burning those same mosques and calling for the ayatollahs' downfall.
"It's begun," she wrote on April 3, 2026. "The downfall of the Islamic Republic, the evil regime that hijacked the country of my birth 47 years ago."
But she is clear that military victory alone is not enough. God told her years ago, in a vision while she was still inside Iran, that the weapon needed to truly lift the veil of darkness from the nation was not military — it was prayer. "To truly lift the veil of darkness from nearly half a century of this corrupt Islamic regime," she wrote, "a spiritual weapon is needed as well."
She has seen what Iranians are hungry for. When she and her friend moved through Tehran quietly offering the New Testament to ordinary people, person after person received it with gratitude. No one turned it away in disgust. Millions of Iranians, she says, have never truly chosen Islam. It was a chain — not a conviction.
"God has given me a vision of a Christian Iran," she said simply.
She is now calling the global Church to pray — with the same urgency and faith of a woman who planted seeds in a desert prison and watched God keep every promise He made.
The seeds are still growing. The desert is ending. And she wants to make sure the Body of Christ is ready to move when the walls come down completely.
#MarziyehAmirizadeh #Iran #IranRevival #JesusChrist #FaithInAction #ToGodBeTheGlory #ChristianNews #PrayForIran #FreeIran #ChristianIran #GreatHarvest #PersecutedChurch #ProphecyFulfilled #fypシ゚viralシ

Her message:
Ang ganda nito. I have never read something so exciting about Jesus.

The message:

First name:
*JESUS ​​CHRIST*

Position:
*SON OF GOD*

Master's degree:
*KING OF KINGS*and *LORD OF LORDS* and *GOD OF GODS*

Partner:
* GOD the Father* and *GOD* the Holy Spirit *

Work Experience:
*Miracle Worker* *Savior of confessed sinners* *Sin Forgiver* * *Prayer Warrior* *Demon Destroyer*

Ministry:
*24 HOURS*

Instrument:
*FAITH*

Favor:
*GRACE* *HOPE* *LOVE*

Author:
*THE BIBLE*

Meeting room:
*MAN’s HEART*

* That this doctor visits you everyday *

In chemistry, He turned water into wine; (John 2: 1-11)

In biology, was born without the natural conception.
(Matthew 1-18 and 25)

In physics, He denied the law of gravity, when He walked on the waters and ascended into the Heaven.
(Mark 6:49 and 16:19)

In economics, He refuted the law of mathematics by feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves and two fish. and still make 12 baskets full.
(Matthew 14: 17-20)

In medicine, He healed the sick, the blind, the deaf, the lame, the lepers, bleeding, and many others without prescribing any dose of medication.
(Matthew 9: 19-22 and John 9: 1-15)

In spirituality, only He resurrected from the dead, and through this, those who trusted in Him will also be resurrected one day. (John 11:25-26)

The story is told before Him and after Him, He is the PRINCIPLE and the END;

He was called Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords
(Isaiah 9-6)

In the Bible it says that no one comes to the Father except through Him; He is the only way; (John 14: 6)

So ...
Who is he?
He is JESUS ​​!!!

The eyes that read this message will not fear any evil.

The hand that sends this message will not work in vain.

The greatest man in history: * JESUS ​​*

✔ He did not have servants, and yet they called him Lord

✔ He did not have any degree of study, and yet they called him Master.

He did not have an army, but the kings feared him.

✔ He did not win military battles, and yet he conquered the world

✔ He did not commit any crime, and yet he was crucified

✔ He was buried in a tomb, and yet He was resurrected (lived).

I feel honored in serving this leader who loves us so much, so much, that he offered his own life to give life to each one of us.

This message will do a lot of good to other people ... Do not stay alone with Him, share Him with others!
☝☝☝GOD IS ALREADY BLESSING Y

Easter Monday?

"Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and has different significance depending on where you are and your traditions.
​On many calendars, it appears because it is a public holiday in over 100 countries, including Canada, much of Europe, and Australia. In those places, it’s often seen as a day for families to continue their celebrations or travel home after the holiday weekend.
​Historically, in some Christian traditions, the entire week following Easter (Bright Week) was celebrated to mark the joy of the resurrection. Easter Monday remains a remnant of that extended celebration. While it isn't a federal holiday in the United States, it is observed in some states and by various religious communities as a day of reflection or rest following the busy Lenten and Holy Week services.
​It looks like it's currently listed on your calendar as an "Observance" within the standard Holidays in the United States set."

Even in our worst moments, when shame wraps tightly around our hearts and guilt whispers that we’re unworthy, God whispers a deeper truth: “I love you.” Not because we earned it. Not because we had it all together. But because His love isn’t based on our goodness; it’s based on His.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

The cross was never a reaction to our repentance; it was a demonstration of love before we ever thought to turn to Him. Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He took the nails, the crown of thorns, the weight of our sin, because His love is that relentless. That sacrificial. That unconditional.

This is the kind of love that changes everything…

The kind of love that pursues…
That forgives…
That saves.

Let this truth sink in today: You are deeply loved by a God who saw every flaw and still chose the cross.

This year, many churches across Syria are scaling back their Resurrection Sunday celebrations in a powerful act of solidarity with a Christian town that was attacked over the weekend.
Samuel* with Redemptive Stories explains that while multiple reports are circulating, the general outline is this: on Friday, Muslim men—reportedly linked to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—were harassing a young woman in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah. When men from the community stepped in to defend her, the situation quickly escalated. “There were reprisal attacks on the people who were harassing her,” Samuel says. “Then that same group turned and attacked a Christian village.”

In response, church leaders from Syria’s Greek Orthodox and Catholic traditions made a unified decision to limit Easter celebrations to prayer within church walls. This choice was not made out of fear, but as a visible expression of support for those affected. Normally, Easter in Syria is marked by vibrant public celebrations—filled with music, processions, and joy. But this year, the quieter observance reflects the growing pressure and uncertainty facing believers. Even so, Christian leaders are calling the global Church to pray—that the Church in Syria would remain a light in the darkness, and that believers would be strengthened to stay, preserving a faithful and enduring witness.

Lord, we lift up our brothers and sisters in Syria who are walking through pressure, persecution, and uncertainty because of their faith in You. Strengthen them this Easter season as they gather quietly, reminding them that Your presence is not limited by walls or circumstances. Fill their hearts with courage, peace, and an unshakable hope that rises above every threat and hardship.
Father, we ask for Your protection over these communities—guard them from further violence from HTS and other extremist groups. Lord, like Psalm 68 says: “Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.” Surround them with Your divine covering. We pray for deep healing in their minds, souls, and hearts from the trauma they have endured over so many years. Let forgiveness, not fear, take root within them.

Lord, let Your Church in Syria shine even brighter in the darkness—steadfast, bold, and overflowing with love—drawing many to You. Sustain those who feel weary, and give them strength to remain, to endure, and to be a powerful witness of Your love, truth, and grace. We also ask for unity among believers—do not let pressure or persecution divide them, but instead unite the Bride of Christ in strength and purpose. Let their unity be powerful and unshakable. Foil the plans of the enemy and all who seek to harm Your sons and daughters. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

“ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

Source: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/syrian-churches-limit-easter-celebrations-in-solidarity-with-attacked-christian-town/

Photo: Syria (Stock photo courtesy of Abd Alrhman Al Darra)

I’m sharing this article with you from my dear friend Cecilia Nabila in Pakistan, who has been a hardworking Christian in her community for many years. I helped her through Bible college, and the church I used to attend helped to secure seventy five Bibles, not testaments, but complete 66 book printed in the Urdu language. Now they not only need more Bibles, they need help building a building structure to worship in.
If you would wish to contribute, please inbox me and I will happily share her information with you.

Passion of Christ

The Scientific Aspect of the Cross
What His Body Endured—and What His Love Chosen
The cross was not just a spiritual sacrifice—
It was physically unimaginable torture.
And He endured it all… for us.
⸻
Message
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of those events in history that has been studied not only religiously but also medically and scientifically.
The Roman crucifixion was designed to cause maximum pain and prolong death.
Nails
Contrary to popular belief, historical and medical research suggests that the nails were probably driven not into the palms of the hands, but into the wrists (between the radius and ulna bones), because this was the area that could support the body’s weight.
The feet were also nailed, forcing the person to repeatedly lift themselves up to breathe.
⸻
Cause of Death
The primary cause of death in crucifixion was asphyxiation.
To breathe in, a person had to push themselves up by using their nailed hands and feet,
and to breathe out, they had to fall back down.
Every breath was accompanied by intense pain.
Eventually, exhaustion would build to the point where breathing would become impossible.
⸻
Nerve Pain
The most severe pain was caused by the piercing of the median nerve—a large vein that runs through the wrist.
When it was damaged, electric shock-like pain would spread through the arms and chest.
That is, every movement—every breath—was agony.
⸻
The Last Moments
John 19:34 records that when Jesus was pierced in the side by a spear:
“Immediately blood and water came out.”
According to medical experts, it could be a sign of:
• Pleural effusion
• Pericardial effusion
This shows that his body had suffered extreme trauma.
⸻
Why is this important?
This was not just symbolic pain.
It was real.
It could be measured.
It was physical.
Every nail, every breath, every moment—an expression of love.
“He was pierced for our transgressions… and with his stripes we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5
⸻
Key point
Jesus did not die immediately.
He endured a long agony—
fully conscious, fully present, with complete surrender.
He could have stopped it if he had wanted to.
But he chose to remain still.
⸻
Announcement
Your salvation is not through some distant act—
but through a Savior who entered fully into human pain to save you.
⸻
Lesson
The cross proves this:
You are loved beyond your mind’s comprehension.

“Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭

He received 39 stripes because 40 was known to kill a man. They wanted him alive. They held handfuls of his beard, and hair and pulled it out by the roots. They wanted him alive. They kicked, punched, and spit on him for hours. Until there wasn't a single spot on his body not covered in blood. They wanted him alive. They shoved a crown of thorns down on his head so harshly it stuck in his skin. They wanted him alive. After hours of being beaten, mocked, whipped, flogged, and tortured they made him walk with a cross. They made him carry it. A rough piece of wood with splinters digging into fresh wounds. They wanted him alive. They wanted him to feel every ounce of pain they could bring. He had to feel it in order to heal us. Crucifixion was historically one of the cruelest most tortured deaths a human could face. Hours upon hours of torture. Torture most of us can not mentally think of because the cruelty isn't normal. It isn't something our minds can comprehend. We celebrate Easter with pastel colors, happy children hunting eggs, and chocolate. Truth is there was absolutely nothing happy about the day Jesus died. It was cruel, bloody, and nasty.
He could have stopped all of it. He could have called every angel in heaven to demolish every person standing and shouting "Crucify Him!" He didn't. He knew in order to have a Sunday you have to have a Friday. He knew in order to have joy you have to carry your cross. He felt everything that day. He felt how your heart broke wide open when you had to watch your baby die. He felt how heavy your life was when you were staring down the barrel of a gun wondering if the man you called husband was going to shoot you. He carried the weight of the burden you have felt since your spouse died and life just doesn't seem right since. On that cross he held the rapist and murderers, the sinner and the saint. He leveled every playing field and said ALL of you are worth it. He knew he had to carry the cross. He never promised the cross you carry in this life would not be heavy. His wasn't. His promise is that Sunday is coming.
No matter how heavy Friday is. Financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Friday is heavy. That cross is weighing you down and you are about to crumble under its weight. His promise was simply this. He won't make you carry it alone. What kind of king would step down from his throne for this?
Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God did. For you.
He did every bit of it for you and me. Oh yes it is heavy. So heavy sometimes you do not think you can take one more step. But look up, because Sunday is coming.

Today, the traditional walk through Jerusalem is silent. No crowds lining the road. No voices crying out “Hosanna.” No palm branches lifted high. It has been Canceled.

But here’s the truth…

They can cancel the walk, but they cannot cancel the King. When Jesus Christ rode in on that donkey, it looked like victory.

But days later… the cross came.

And after the cross?

The followers of Jesus weren’t marching in the streets anymore. They were being hunted.
They went from public celebration… to hidden rooms. From shouting in crowds… to whispering behind locked doors. Fear took over.

The same city that once echoed “Hosanna”
became dangerous ground for anyone who followed Him. But something happened…

A fire fell. Not a fire of destruction, a fire of power. Holy Spirit filled ordinary men, and everything changed.

The ones who hid… stepped out.
The ones who feared… spoke boldly.
The ones who scattered… began to gather again. And what did they preach?

Not a tradition, not an event, a King…Jesus!

The same King who rode in on a donkey.
The same King who was crucified.
The same King who rose again.

That’s why we’re still talking about Him today, Because they refused to stay silent!

Their bravery became our boldness.

So yes… maybe the streets in Jerusalem are quiet today, but the Gospel never has been and it never will be.

Because you can cancel a procession…
but you cannot stop a Spirit-filled people!

Hosanna still lives, not in a crowd,but in us.

While many of us in the West were safely gathered in church celebrating Palm Sunday, gunmen were attacking and killing murdering people in Nigeria. Among the victims was a woman and her unborn child.

Gideon, our first Field Minister in Nigeria, rushed to the scene immediately. He was there all morning. When he finally returned, he told us:

"The bodies were evacuated to the hospital only this late morning...I'm tired, and it's disheartening, but we will not give up."

This is not the first time that Gideon has witnessed overwhelming brutality. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to profess faith in Jesus. Over 3,500 Christians were martyred there last year.

Yet, at the same time, Palm Sunday is a reminder that God is with us in our suffering. Jesus knew everything that awaited him as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He knew that He would be betrayed, tortured, and crucified, and yet He did exactly that to accomplish our salvation.

It's because of what Jesus has done for us that we can say with confidence that the Christians in Nigeria have not been abandoned. They are not alone in their suffering, for the love that rode into Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago is one we can cling to when everything else around us falls away. Today, our Field Minister Gideon is on the ground, sharing that love with his fellow Nigerians.

Please join us in prayer for the families of the victims and those who were injured.

- Pray for the grieving families, that God would draw near and bring comfort.
- Pray for Gideon as he serves on the ground, pointing people to their only hope in Christ.
- Pray for Nigeria, especially Christians during Holy Week, for protection and peace.

Thank you for standing with the persecuted.

There’s a strange detail in the Last Supper that most people never notice. Jesus stopped the Passover meal partway through.

And He didn’t finish it until the cross.

The Passover meal traditionally includes four cups of wine, each connected to God’s promises to Israel in the Book of Exodus 6:6–7.

The cups represent:
Sanctification — “I will bring you out.”
Deliverance — “I will rescue you.”
Redemption — “I will redeem you.”
Praise / Completion — “I will take you as My people.”

Now watch what Jesus does.

During the meal He lifts a cup and says:

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood.”
— Gospel of Luke 22:20

Luke specifically says this happened after supper, which corresponds to the third cup — the Cup of Redemption.

Jesus was declaring:

He is the redemption.

But then something strange happens. Jesus says:

“I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”—Gospel of Luke 22:18

He stops before the fourth cup.

The Passover meal is left unfinished.

Later, while hanging on the cross, Jesus is given sour wine.

Then He declares:
“It is finished.”— Gospel of John 19:30

The Passover Lamb had been sacrificed.

Redemption was complete. Jesus giving His life on the cross was the fulfillment of Passover itself.

Who was Judas really?

What was his ministry and mission?
What comes to mind when you hear the name Judas Iscariot?
A traitor?
A betrayer?
A lost disciple?
But the story of Judas is much deeper… and more disturbing.

Because Judas is not just a biblical character—he is a mirror!
Judas, who is more fully known as Judas Iscariot, was not an outsider who suddenly turned up and betrayed Jesus Christ.
He was chosen.
Jesus Christ himself chose him.
He walked with them,
ate with them,
listened to their teachings,
and witnessed their miracles.
Judas was there when the blind received their sight,
when the lame walked,
when the dead were raised.
He was not far from grace—he lived in it.
And like the other apostles, Judas had a mission.
He was sent to preach,
to proclaim the kingdom of God,
to heal the sick, and to cast out demons.
Nowhere is it mentioned that he failed in these tasks.
This is a surprising fact:
Judas was not idle.
He was not a fake from the beginning.
His ministry was genuine.
Among the apostles, Judas also had a special responsibility.
He was in charge of the treasury.
It was a place of trust,
a place of responsibility,
a place that demanded honesty.
But slowly… something began to change.
The Bible shows that Judas began to take what was not his.
It was not sudden.
Nor was it loud.
But gradually and that is how sin often begins—Not in one big moment,
But in small, hidden agreements.
Then came the moment that changed him forever.
Judas went to the chief priests
And agreed to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver.
He was not forced,
Nor was he confused,
But it was his own decision.
And when the time came,
He came to Jesus…
Not with a weapon,
But with a kiss.
A sign of love…
Turned into betrayal.
But the story does not end there.
Later, Judas regretted it.
He realized what he had done.
He returned the silver.
But he did not return to mercy…
But he sank into despair.
And this is his real tragedy.
Because another apostle also fell.
Saint Peter also denied Jesus three times.
But Peter returned.
He wept.
And was restored.
Judas did not return.

What is the real lesson?

Judas teaches us a very serious truth:
You can fall even when you are close to Jesus.
You can become weak inside even when you are serving.
You can be trusted—and still lose your way.
But most importantly:
No sin is greater than God’s mercy—
Except for the sin… when man himself rejects that mercy.
Judas had a mission.
He had a service.
He was among the chosen ones.
But he lost everything…
Not because God abandoned him,
but because he did not return.

And this is the question for all of us:

When we fall…

Do we flee like Judas?
Or do we return like Peter?

The blood of Jesus is not just symbolic…

It is the basis of salvation
Many people say, “the blood of Jesus”…
But few understand why it has such power.

To understand blood…
We have to go back to the beginning.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word for blood is דְמ (דָּם).

And in Leviticus 17:11 God makes it clear:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…and it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”

This is not poetry.
This is a legal fact.
In ancient times, blood represented life, covenant, and justice.

This means:
When sin entered…
a soul had to answer for it.
From Genesis to Malachi we see a pattern:
Animals were sacrificed.
Blood was shed.
Altars were built.
This is called atonement.

The Hebrew word is kafar (כָּפַר)
which means to cover, to make peace.

But there was a limit:
The blood of animals could only cover sin…
it could not erase it.
It was temporary.
Every year… sacrifices had to be made again.

That is why it is written in Hebrews:

“It is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

— Hebrews 10:4

So what was God doing?
He was setting up a type…
a shadow…
a prophetic system…
that pointed to a greater reality.
Then Jesus comes.
Not just as a teacher…
but as the Lamb.
John the Baptist proclaims:
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

— John 1:29

Consider the difference:
Not just covers…
It wipes away.
The Greek word for blood is haima (αἷμα),
which means a life shed for salvation.

When Jesus shed his blood…
it was not an accident.
it was intentional.
it was legal.
it was covenantal.
On the cross, Jesus fulfilled all that the Old Testament pointed to.
His blood did…
what animal blood never could:
It not only covered sin…
it put an end to it.

Hebrews 9:12 says:

“He entered in once…through his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption through his own blood.”

One sacrifice.
Forever.
No repetition.
No need for another sacrifice.
And now it gets personal:
The blood of Jesus is not just a historical event…
It is still effective today.
It justifies — Romans 5:9
It redeems — Ephesians 1:7
It purifies — 1 John 1:7
It gives access to God — Hebrews 10:19
In the Old Testament, blood sealed the covenant.
When the blood was shed…

the covenant became unbreakable.
So when Jesus shed his blood…
he established a new covenant

(καινὴ διαθήκη — καινὴ διαθήκη)

which is not based on your works…
but on his finished work.
This means:
Your salvation is not based on your perfection…
but on his blood.
And here’s something that many people don’t understand:
The power of the blood is not just in forgiveness…
it’s also in transformation.
Because you really can’t face the blood of Jesus…
And you can’t live like that.
The blood speaks.

Hebrews 12:24 says it speaks better words than the blood of Abel.

Abel’s blood cried out for justice…
But the blood of Jesus cries out for mercy.
So when you say “the blood of Jesus”…
you’re not just repeating a phrase.
You’re declaring:
The price has been paid.
The debt has been forgiven.
The covenant has been made.
A life has been given… so that your life can be redeemed.
That’s why there is power in the blood.

So I was reading Matthew 7:23 today where Jesus says “I never knew you; depart from me.” Man that verse used to scare me because I thought it meant you could try your best, believe in God, do all the church things, and still somehow miss it. But when I slowed down and actually looked at what Jesus was saying, I realized He wasn’t talking to atheists, He was talking to religious people who were doing all kinds of impressive stuff and even saying “Lord, Lord.” They were pointing to everything they did, the miracles, the works, all the things they thought proved something, but Jesus didn’t say “you didn’t work hard enough,” He said “I never knew you.” That word “knew” isn’t about information, it’s about relationship, walking with Him, letting Him into your life instead of just doing things in His name. That hit me pretty hard because I spent a lot of years trying to fix myself, prove myself, build something good enough to make up for the mess I made before, but that’s not what Jesus is asking from me at all. He’s not asking me to impress Him, He’s asking me to know Him and let Him know me, one day at a time, the same way I stay sober, the same way I keep moving forward. Turns out the point isn’t performance, it’s relationship, and that’s a whole lot better news for a guy like me who used to think he had to earn everything.

Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I.

The Balance Between Truth and Grace

I want to speak directly and gently to you about a topic that makes many people uncomfortable—both believers and nonbelievers alike.

It is a topic that has often been misunderstood, misused, and at times even weaponized.

The topic is sin and judgment.

I know… before you write me off too quickly, I encourage you to stay with me for just a moment. There is comfort, peace, and hope in what lies ahead—I promise.

In the current climate of polarization and judgment, this topic is crucial to address.

Before we continue, I want you to pay attention to the feelings that arise within you as we move forward. Try to notice any reactions or shifts within yourself.

Ok, take a deep breath…
Are you ready?

Sin… what is it exactly?

The word of God teaches us that sin is oppositional to God.

The simplest way to describe sin—if that is even possible—is this: sin is anything in thought, attitude, or action that falls short of God’s character and will.

It also refers to failing to live according to the life God created us to live.

The Bible often describes sin as “missing the mark”, or falling short of God’s standards.

In addition to sin, Scripture also uses words such as transgression and iniquity.

Transgression refers to crossing a known boundary.

Iniquity points to the deeper inner distortion of the heart that produces those actions.

When we take a deeper look at the concepts of sin, transgression, and iniquity, we begin to understand what Paul writes in his epistle to the Romans (3:23):

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Why?

Because all have sinned in the eyes of God.

Some may argue that one sin is greater than another—and yes, there are sins that carry heavier weights than others. In other words, some sins carry greater responsibility or consequences than others.

However, the Bible reveals that all sin separates from God, and no one can claim moral perfection.

Ok… you still with me?

How do we feel?

If we are honest with ourselves for even a moment, most of us can begin to recognize that we, too, have missed the mark in one way or another.

And this is where the comfort, hope, and peace that I promised earlier begin to come into view.

As Paul writes in his epistle to the Romans (5:8):

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The grace and forgiveness of sin has once and for all been provided through Jesus Christ.

Through His sacrifice, the judgment that sin deserves was taken upon Himself, so that those who trust in Him can be restored to a relationship with God.

In this way, sin was not ignored—it was fully confronted and dealt with at the cross through Christ.

If forgiveness through Christ is offered so freely, another question naturally follows:

How are those who have received that grace meant to respond to the sins of others?

Throughout the New Testament, believers are called to help one another grow in faith and holiness.

At times this includes correcting or rebuking one another when we see a brother or sister drifting into harmful patterns of sin.

Yet Scripture also warns us about something equally dangerous:

self-righteous judgment.

The difference between correction and judgment is not always obvious, and throughout history many believers have struggled to hold these two truths in balance.

Jesus Himself addressed this tension directly.

In the Gospel of Luke (18:9), He tells a parable to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.

In the story that follows, a Pharisee proudly lists his moral accomplishments before God, while a tax collector simply prays:

“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The surprising conclusion is that the humble tax collector—not the outwardly righteous Pharisee—went home justified before God.

This hypocrisy is also addressed in the Gospel of Matthew (7:3–5), where Jesus says:

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the plank that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the plank in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

The warning here is clear:

It is possible to become so focused on the sins of others that we forget the grace that first met us in our own brokenness.

This danger is not limited to individuals.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus. He acknowledges their commitment to sound doctrine and moral discernment.

Yet despite their diligence, Christ identifies a deeper problem:

“You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

The church had become so focused on guarding truth and exposing error that they had begun to lose sight of the very grace that had once filled them with joy.

When believers forget the grace that first met them in their own moral brokenness, correction can slowly drift into judgment, and discernment can harden into self-righteousness.

So the question we begin to ask is this:

Where do believers find the balance between correcting the sins of others and avoiding the trap of self-righteousness?

Part of the answer begins by recognizing that Scripture makes an important distinction between how believers address fellow believers and how they approach those who do not yet share the faith.

When Jesus encountered people who were far from God, He often created a sense of dignity, safety, and compassion before addressing the need for change.

One powerful example appears in the Gospel of John when He speaks to the woman caught in adultery.

After her accusers leave, Jesus says to her:

“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Notice the order.

Grace came before correction.
Safety came before transformation.

In the same way, believers are called to approach those outside the faith not first with condemnation, but with the same grace that first met us in our own brokenness.

Among believers, however, correction still has an important place.

Yet even here, the posture must always begin with humility.

Before addressing the sins of another, Jesus reminds us to first examine our own hearts and remove the plank from our own eye.

The goal of correction is not to shame or elevate ourselves above others, but to lovingly help one another grow toward the life God calls us to live.

Remembering the grace we ourselves received is what keeps correction from turning into condemnation.

And this is where the message of the gospel returns once more to its central promise.

As Paul writes in his epistle to the Romans (8:1):

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

For those who place their trust in Christ, sin no longer defines their identity.

Grace does.

And it is that same grace—freely given to us—that should shape how we respond to the struggles, failures, and sins of others.

Because the grace that rescued us should also guide how we see one another.

So I was reading Matthew 7:23 today where Jesus says “I never knew you; depart from me.” Man that verse used to scare me because I thought it meant you could try your best, believe in God, do all the church things, and still somehow miss it. But when I slowed down and actually looked at what Jesus was saying, I realized He wasn’t talking to atheists, He was talking to religious people who were doing all kinds of impressive stuff and even saying “Lord, Lord.” They were pointing to everything they did, the miracles, the works, all the things they thought proved something, but Jesus didn’t say “you didn’t work hard enough,” He said “I never knew you.” That word “knew” isn’t about information, it’s about relationship, walking with Him, letting Him into your life instead of just doing things in His name. That hit me pretty hard because I spent a lot of years trying to fix myself, prove myself, build something good enough to make up for the mess I made before, but that’s not what Jesus is asking from me at all. He’s not asking me to impress Him, He’s asking me to know Him and let Him know me, one day at a time, the same way I stay sober, the same way I keep moving forward. Turns out the point isn’t performance, it’s relationship, and that’s a whole lot better news for a guy like me who used to think he had to earn everything.

Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I. See you tomorrow.

Amnesia is a medical term describing a partial or total loss of memory. Derived from a Greek word meaning “to forget,” it’s a condition in which a person loses awareness of who they are and what they’ve experienced. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon offers us a classic illustration of this. In Daniel chapter 4, the mighty monarch temporarily loses his reason and identity, forgetting who he is and the authority he holds.

While the vast majority of evangelical Christians remain steadfast supporters of the state of Israel and defenders of the Jewish people, a small but growing segment of our tribe has developed a troubling case of theological amnesia when it comes to God’s present and future plans for Israel. This forgetfulness is especially alarming at a time when antisemitism is rising worldwide at levels not seen since the Holocaust.

Those affected by this theological amnesia often operate within a framework known as replacement theology—the belief that God has rejected the Jewish people because of their unbelief in Yeshua as Messiah, replaced them with the church and revoked His covenant promises to them. Such thinking reflects a forgetfulness of plain Scriptural teaching concerning God’s everlasting promises to His chosen people, Israel.

The end result of this toxic theology is the conclusion that Israel has no future role in God’s redemptive purposes and that the modern Jewish state holds no greater Biblical significance than any other nation. Worse still, replacement theology often produces a subtle—and sometimes overt—form of antisemitism. If God Himself has rejected the Jewish people and revoked His promises to them, the logic follows that they hold no special place in God’s unfolding plan.

When the church forgets Israel, it may justify indifference—or even hostility—toward the Jewish people. In this way, antisemitism often becomes the adopted child of replacement theology.

One of the most frequently repeated commands in the Torah is the call to remember. Again and again, God calls His covenant people to remember what He has done for them. When Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land following Moses’ death, their first stop was Gilgal. There they erected memorial stones so future generations would remember “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty” (Joshua 4:24).

Centuries later, King David declared, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” (Psalm 137:5). For nearly 2,000 years of exile, scattered among often-hostile nations, the Jewish people remembered. Each Passover they retold the story of redemption and declared with faith-filled hope, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Even today, the mezuzah affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes serves as a daily reminder of God’s promises.

Amnesia has never been an option for the Jewish people—and it must not be an option for Bible-believing Christians. History has shown tragic consequences when the church forgets God’s purposes and promises for Israel.

Replacement theology rests on what may be described as a three-legged stool with three unstable legs—three false premises rejected by Scripture. It teaches that Israel has been rejected, Israel’s purposes have been replaced, and Israel’s promises have been revoked.

Premise 1: The People of Israel Have Been Rejected

Replacement theology claims that God has rejected the Jewish people in this age of grace because they rejected Jesus as Messiah. Yet Scripture repeatedly affirms the opposite. God promised Abraham the land of Canaan as “an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8). Once Abraham entered the land, God reiterated the promise: “All the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:15). To Jacob, God said, “I … will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession” (Genesis 48:4). Through David, the Lord promised to plant Israel securely in the land so that they would “move no more” (1 Chronicles 17:9). Through Ezekiel, God declared that His people would dwell in the land “forever” (Ezekiel 37:25). Everlasting means everlasting. Forever still means forever.

God’s covenant promises to Israel regarding the land were not based on Israel’s obedience but on God’s faithfulness. They were unconditional. Replacement theology attempts to allegorize these promises away, but God’s spoken words retain their meaning.

Enter the Apostle Paul—a Hebrew of Hebrews, trained under Rabbi Gamaliel. In Romans 11, Paul dismantles the idea that Israel has been rejected. He asks plainly, “Has God rejected His people?” His answer is unequivocal: “By no means! God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2).

In a culture where opinion often outweighs conviction, Scripture remains clear. God has not rejected Israel. Replacement theology collapses under the weight of God’s Word.

Premise 2: The Purposes of Israel Have Been Replaced

Replacement theology further claims that the church has replaced Israel in God’s redemptive plan. Paul again responds in Romans 11, using the image of an olive tree. Israel is the cultivated tree; Gentile believers are wild branches grafted in. Paul issues a stern warning: “Do not be arrogant toward the branches … It is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” (Romans 11:18). The branch does not replace the tree.

The church does not supplant Israel; it shares in Israel’s spiritual blessings. The root represents God’s covenant with Israel. The church draws life from that root, not the other way around. Replacement theology fosters a spiritual arrogance that Scripture explicitly condemns.

Premise 3: The Promises to Israel Have Been Revoked

Finally, replacement theology claims that God has revoked His promises to Israel. This assertion challenges not only God’s faithfulness but His character.

Paul addresses this directly: “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). God’s promises to Israel remain intact. They are not canceled or transferred.

If God could revoke His promises to Israel, what confidence could believers have in the promises made to them through Christ? Scripture affirms that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). God keeps His word.

Replacement theology swings three times—and strikes out.

Forgetting Israel and the Rise of Antisemitism

When the church forgets Israel, arrogance often follows—and arrogance breeds antisemitism. Church history bears painful witness to this. Yet antisemitism is again on the rise. Replacement theology, by denying Israel’s place in God’s plan, risks fueling this hatred anew. Antisemitism is an affront to God’s heart. His love for Israel has never expired, and Genesis 12:3 still stands: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” Antisemites hate what God loves.

A Final Appeal

If God were to break His covenant with Israel, how could we trust Him to keep His promises to us? Silence in the face of replacement theology and antisemitism is not neutrality—it is neglect.

There is a cure for theological amnesia: Remember God’s Word. Remember His promises. Remember whom He loves.

To our Jewish friends: while some voices within Christianity have forgotten, the vast majority have not. We remember. We stand with you. As Ruth once declared, so do we: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Am Yisrael Chai. The people of Israel live.