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“For [you] are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10) And because you are God’s workmanship you know you were created with purpose for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

Brothers, Praise God! We have graduated our first! All by God’s grace, all for His glory. This school season has come to a close, mostly, for us. Praying for you all. I’ll try and host a prayer meeting as soon as the graduation parties slow down. Blessings this beautiful Lords day!

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Classical Conversations homeschool community at Bethany class of 2024 Graduation

1 The moment: Commencement 

Welcome Classical Conversations homeschool community at Bethany class of 2024.

If I had no time constraints I would encourage you all night, not to give you another lecture, although I’m sure it would feel like it, but because I love you all and am so proud and encouraged by the men and women you have become.

This is your commencement. What has been has come to an end, and you are commencing upon a new beginning. 

Up to this point your parents have protected, nurtured, educated and shaped you. Preparing you to hit the target.

You are a gift of the LORD to your parents. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, Psalm 127 says.

An arrow is an instrument of purpose, and so are each one of you.

Your parents have been preparing you physically, spiritually, and through your education for the purpose God has prepared for you, “For [you] are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10)

Now, like arrows from a bow, you are being loosed to commence upon the good works God has prepared for each one of you.

And because you are God’s workmanship you know you were created with purpose for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

2 Knowing the times: the war of ideas (1 chronicles 12:32 know the times, son’s of Issachar)

You are commencing on this pilgrimage at a time when our culture has turned away from God. 

We live in a postmodern, post- christian culture that has rejected the concept of truth.

Truth is now whatever each individual decides it is, reality has no meaning, each individual’s feelings define reality, and there is no standard for morality.

Without the controlling spirit of truth, all morality is becoming relative and subjective, therefore law becomes arbitrary, which leads to chaos and destruction. 

Today our culture professes to be wise, but “they became fools…”

So God has given them “over to an unfit mind…” (Romans 1:21-25, 28-32) 

Yes, the sins of the culture today are the same as yesterday, the same as in the garden of Eden, the same as in Sodom, and the same as in Rome during the Apostle Paul’s day. 

However, do not walk like many do.

Many people choose apathy and complacency.

Many others choose hopelessness and despair. 

But… they have forgotten there is some good news here…

”… God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…“ Ephesians 2:4-10 

And that is Good news! 

Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Because of the reality of Jesus’ resurrection we can know that sin has no hold over us. 

3 How then shall we live?

How then shall you commence?

The eight of you have been prepared for this. You Know God, and now it’s your turn to make Him known.

Jesus is victorious and will return to judge the living and the dead! And you should live like it.

What this world needs is God’s truth and the hope of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Let  your words and life point a lost world to Him.

Life is an amazing mission from God. Many people live only for the pleasures of this temporary world, My prayer for you graduates as you are loosed into to world is that you will live for eternal glory in Jesus Christ. 

Walk in the good works which God has prepared for you to walk in. 

How about we commence with a little latin word study?

Words have power and I know you all love latin. The word enchant comes from the latin word encantio, which means “to speak meaning into,” 

Like Adam naming the animals in the garden for instance.

Or God speaking the creation into existence! 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,9-10,14

Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us!

If God’s people are not reenchanting this fallen world with God’s truth and grace, then it is being disenchanted with the lies of Satan!

Use your words to proclaim the excellencies of God (1 Peter 2:9). To share His truth and the good news of His salvation to all creation in everything you do (Mark 16:15, Romans 10:14-15).

The word muse comes from the latin musus, which is thinking, to think deeply. “to become absorbed in thought especially… to think about something carefully and thoroughly” 

To amuse is the opposite, it is unthinking. “to divert the attention… so as to deceive”

Once you commence there are many unthinking distractions to amuse you away from your purpose.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You were created with purpose. 

Be full of joy, full of fellowship, but resist the temptation to be amused into complacency.

Do what’s right, not what’s cool. 

Do what builds up and produces, not what tears down and consumes. 

Find ways to produce, contribute, and serve your household, church, and community.

If you know God’s word, you know His will for you. Love God and love your neighbor.

I see in every one of you the capacity to share truth, hope, and love in the world. 

By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), commence subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying – in marriage – (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20).

What ever path you take and what ever you do, do it “as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23). 

Reenchant this world with God’s truth and grace speaking into every sphere of life  (Psalm 102:15, Philippians 2:10-11) – Amen and God’s speed.

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.“ Ephesians 5:25-33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.5.25-33.LSB

Brothers, I’m praying for our marriages. I see the continued battle against God’s design for sex, marriage, and households. The cosmic battle started early in creation and has continued since (Gen. 3:15). So I pray we understand the profound nature and purpose of our marriages and the armor needed to protect them (Eph. 5-6). May we be faithful to our marriages and call to build Godly households.

We learn in Ephesians that “God now has a people in the world who belong uniquely to Him. In them His purpose of grace is being worked out, and through them He plans to effect His intention for the universe… The most comprehensive statement of the theme of Ephesians is this: the eternal purpose of God and the place of Christ and His people in that purpose.” https://press.founders.org/shop/fsgc-ephesians/ 

“The American Church Needs Repentance and Revival… Hibbs identified three symptoms of the American church’s malady: idolizing comfort, rejecting conviction, and avoiding personal responsibility… He urged Christians to exercise ‘personal responsibility,’ beginning ‘right there in your own home.’ … ‘I’m talking about living righteously as we have been commanded,’ said Hibbs. ‘What is it going to take for us to cry out?’” https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/the-american-church-needs-repentance-and-revival 

“We who have had the gospel passed to us by martyr hands dare not trifle with it, nor sit by and hear it denied by traitors, who pretend to love it, but inwardly abhor every line of it. We have come to a turning point in the road. If we turn to the right, mayhap our children and our children’s children will go that way; but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to his Word.” Charles Spurgeon in his sermon entitled “Holding Fast the Faith,” delivered in 1888. “Let these words from Charles Spurgeon embolden you to stand firm against the gathering forces of evil and darkness in America today. Don’t just admire dead men who were firm in the faith— aim to live and speak like them today. And who cares if they call us narrow-minded bigots, or even worse? Remember, as the always-quotable Spurgeon said elsewhere: ‘Oh, my brethren! bold-hearted men are always called mean-spirited by cowards.’” https://www.standingforfreedom.com/2023/10/here-is-the-day-for-the-man-where-is-the-man-for-the-day

“Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us… It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.” President Abraham Lincoln, Proclamation 97, 1863, to establish a national day of ‘humiliation’ (repentance), fasting, and prayer.

This year, 2024, “The overarching message that pierced each prayer was that, in order to bring a lawless society back into some kind of order, God must be prioritized. He is the power behind protecting fathers, mothers, and children. He is the truth behind gender, marriage, and life. He is the conviction of what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, the Lord is our hope amid darkness, and our stronghold as we draw near to Him through prayer and repentance.” https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/2024-national-gathering-for-prayer-and-repentance-no-revival-comes-without-repentance

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” James 2:19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.2.19.NKJV

Brothers, praying for a happy Reformation Day! October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nails his ninety-five theses to the church door. Trust in the mighty name of Jesus! For “Even the demons believe—and tremble!” James 2:19 – Sola Fide: by faith alone. Sola Scriptura: by Scripture alone. Solus Christus: through Christ alone. Sola Gratia: by grace alone. Soli Deo Gloria: glory to God alone! I pray we pass on this Church history and the scriptural truth behind it!

“The Reformation was not about trivialities or politics but a concerted and determined purpose to remove all the trash of tradition, canon law, and papal dogma that smothered the gospel in its clarity and native power. They wanted to assert with no uncertain voice the Pauline principle, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).” The Reformation: Hard Hitting Blows at Vital Spots https://founders.org/articles/the-reformation-hard-hitting-blows-at-vital-spots/

“salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as found in Scripture alone, done to the glory of God alone is relevant in every single age… Luther summed up his massive contribution as the unwitting founder of Protestantism in this fashion: ‘I did nothing, the Word did everything.’” 8 Ways the Reformation Has Shaped My Life and Ministry https://founders.org/articles/8-ways-the-reformation-has-shaped-my-life-and-ministry/

Trust in the mighty name of Jesus!

“Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons… Now when [Jesus] said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:3, 6 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.18.3-6.NKJV

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More on Reformation Day https://ministry.family.blog/2019/10/15/reformation-day/

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” I Peter 3:7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.7.NKJV

Brothers, praying from my reading today in 1 Peter 3:7. I pray we have hearts to understand and to honor our wives. Pray every waking morning that we have hearts to be sympathetic, kind, and humble. That we would bless our wives to build up and encourage them in their work as mothers. If we pray and act this way our prayers will not be hindered. May reformation start in our homes!

1 Peter 3:7-9 (NASB)
[7] You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. [8] To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; [9] not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 

How to Start a Reformation (In Four Easy Steps) https://youtu.be/Z9sdD__Qz3E?si=LU8NU1A8IqF8v58m 

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Trained Men Gen. 14:14
Emergency Exercise October 2023: Rebuilding the walls

Intel: Globalism and so called climate change policies could impact food, fuel, utilities, and other resources.

So what: By faith (Heb. 11) and the power of the Gospel, are we ready to serve the Church brethren and our communities? Do we have food security networks, means of production, security and defense, and communications? And do we have the joy of the Lord in our hearts to face the day?

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Community Building

Two big themes in Nehemiah are spiritual and physical rebuilding. Spiritually a reformation of the hearts of God’s people, and physically protecting the separateness of God’s people in the world and maintaining community continuity by being obedient to God and rebuilding the walls of the city.

Start building a network of resources by sharing what local resource you use for…

• Beef
• Eggs
• Produce
• Welding
• Construction
• Auto repair
• Mechanical
• Lumber
• Fuel 
• Medical, dental, other health care

Mindful that, “You should go into every business relationship with a brother looking to give something additional, rather than to get something additional. Don’t expect discounts because you are a brother. Try, when possible, to give something additional because he’s a brother… This spirit of grace and generosity does not take Mammon out of your hands, but it most certainly takes you out of Mammon’s hands.” Gashmu Saith It: How to build Christian communities that save the world, by Douglas Wilson https://canonpress.com/products/gashmu-saith-it/

“The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.11.25.NKJV

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“Chang warns Americans that they should have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about food scarcity. At the same time U.S. consumers couldn’t get meat at grocery stores, the world’s top pork producer, Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, shipped pork to China.” http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2023/september/china-moves-to-dominate-world-food-supply-food-is-power

”The Race to Rule the World’s Food Security & Water Supply” 
Real world history of 9 meals from anarchy in China and how it matters today. “with investigative journalist @eWords uncovers how countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China – as well as private entities like Erik Prince’s latest venture – are racing to control the world’s food and water supplies.” https://youtu.be/t72EUG-9_Ag?si=J1du8jasXNk7uXez 

Second Layer Solutions:

• Organize a local preparedness and information-sharing network. Our group, local church, and neighbors are it.
• Find/establish alternative logistics, supply, and production networks
• Find/establish alternative prolonged medical care
• Find/establish metal and spare parts fabrication (a big one!)
• Find/establish all the other things that are not “survival” or “prepper” skills, but will make life a lot better while we navigate our Gray Zone future

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

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“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

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AMENDMENT II 

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

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“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him… Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalms 33:8, 12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.33.8-12.NKJV

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
– George Washington, October 3, 1789

“nations – not to be mistaken for forms of government – nations succeed when they obey God. God the Father gave all authority to Jesus Christ, and Christ commanded His church to teach the nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to obey His commands… to do real things in the physical world that… will result in nations looking to Christ, trusting Him, and obeying Him. Central to Christian Nationalism is the belief that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that Christ will be obeyed.” https://livelocal.store/product/christian_nationalism_is_inevitable/

Want a blessed nation? ““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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

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THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Banning Assault Weapons and Sale of High-Capacity Magazines https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25890.html

In America “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” – these unalienable rights are human rights. There is one human race, and humans are created in the image of God the Creator. Since humans bear the image of God they belong to God. They do not bear the image of Caesar (i.e. the State or government) and therefore do not belong to Caesar.

“John Quincy Adams echoed this, avowing that man’s inalienable rights are those “given him by his Creator,” which can neither be taken from him by force nor transferred from him to anyone else; “hence the rights derived . .. are declared to be inalienable.” In short, inalienable rights are God-given rights that belong to each and every individual, period… The Second Amendment’s “right to keep and bear arms” is the constitutional embodiment of the Biblical right of self-defense found in Exodus 22 (and other passages) [Gen. 14:14, Nehemiah 4, etc…] – another of the many American rights rooted in Biblical teachings.” The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

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US Supreme Court Upholds 2nd Amendment: Gun Ownership is a Right of Americans | Facts Matter https://youtu.be/Jh8y1s4-4W8

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Never Again!

“For 70 years, the slogan “Never again” has been the post-Holocaust rallying cry of Jews everywhere. It is a solemn vow that millions of Jews will never again be disarmed and defenselessly marched into camps for systematic liquidation because we can resist with the same powerful firearms we might face in the hands of totalitarian government. That progressives would take this vow, turn it upside down, and use it to grab guns is an abomination… Disarming law-abiding citizens and concentrating firearms in government hands is fundamentally wrong and disastrous. Our Founders understood this, these students do not. Freedom hangs on these truths.” https://www.jewishaz.com/opinion/never-again-belongs-to-the-holocaust-not-to-the-movement/article_244c47fa-8542-11e8-a7cb-4bb851136f69.html

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American Constitution
AMENDMENT II 
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia: an army composed of citizens… called up in time of emergency. (Webster’s 2010)

There are four places in the American Constitution that affirm the Militia’s prior existence, and no law can alter it. The militia is all able bodied members of a community.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16:

[The Congress shall have Power To…]

Clause 15: [ ] “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”

Clause 16: [ ] “To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;”

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States…”

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

From the Founders… Original Intent

“[T]he said Constitution [should] be never construed … to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.”
SAMUEL ADAMS, Signer of the Declaration, “Father of the American Revolution” …

“A free people ought … to be armed.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“[N]o man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them…. This is a principle which secures religious liberty most firmly.”
ZECHARIAH JOHNSTON, Revolutionary Soldier, Virginia Legislator, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

“I am thus far a Quaker [a pacifist]: I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.
THOMAS PAINE, Patriot, Author

Quotes from “The Second Amendment” by David Barton

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Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

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“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

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AMENDMENT II 

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

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“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788

Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! … Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalms 100:1, 4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.100.1-5.NKJV

Brothers, today I am giving thanks. I thank God for all of you. I thank God for our Classical Conversations community, for our wive’s, for our children, for the freedoms and liberty we still have. I am truly thankful for the fellowship and community of fellow laborers. I thank God for our Savior! Blessings and thanksgiving brothers. 

“Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, ever one God, we thank you for the manifold blessings of the year that is past. Now we appeal to your grace for truly grateful hearts all our days, that we may bask in your grace and show forth your praise, not only with our lips but with our lives, wholly consecrated to your service, and at the last enter into your everlasting embrace. Amen.” Full printable prayer by Hillsdale College https://www.hillsdale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Thanksgiving-2022.pdf

Thanksgiving resources by Hillsdale College https://www.hillsdale.edu/thanksgiving2022/

From President George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation:

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their Joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” Read the full proclamation: Hillsdale College https://www.hillsdale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HillsdaleCollege_GeorgeWashington_Proclamation1789.pdf

From President James Madison’s 1815 Thanksgiving proclamation:

“No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of events, and of the destiny of nations, than the people of the United States. His kind providence originally conducted them to one of the best portions of the dwelling place allotted for the great family of the Human race. He protected and cherished them, under all the difficulties and trials to which they were exposed in their early days. Under His fostering care, their habits, their sentiments, and their pursuits prepared them, for a transition in due time to a state of Independence and Self-Government.” Read the full proclamation: Hillsdale College https://www.hillsdale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HillsdaleCollege_JamesMadison_Proclamation1815.pdf

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we 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 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV 

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV