As a Christian, the affairs of the Pope are none of my business. However, chatting on the news of his death provided an opportunity to preach the Gospel to my wife and encourage her to do her own research. "Religion is offensive and you are right to be offended because of the evil wicked people do under the camouflage of religion, but I'm not talking about man made religion, I am talking about a man who rose from the dead proving himself to be God, shouldn't we hear what he has to say? I invite you to Church so you can do your own research." Please pray for my wife.

A Deeper Sign In the account where a boy offers five barley loaves and two fish, questioning how they could suffice for a vast crowd, Jesus instructs the people to sit down to eat. The location was lush with grass, and around five thousand men took their places. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and shared them with those seated, doing the same with the fish, providing as much as they desired. Once everyone was satisfied, He told His disciples to collect the remaining fragments to prevent waste. They gathered twelve baskets full of leftovers from the five barley loaves. Witnessing this miracle, the people declared, “This is indeed the Prophet destined to come into the world.” Many Christians, myself included, often reflect on this event and recognize that our Creator can alter the physical laws He established. While this is certainly true, I did not consider a more profound significance until Russ’ lesson today. As 1 Corinthians 3:2 states, “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able.” If we view the five loaves and two fish symbolically, they might represent the mature Christians within the Church—the solid food and meat. Jesus, the bread of life, is our model, and we are called to emulate Him. The meat symbolizes those very mature Brothers and Sisters who skillfully teach the Word, guiding others. Though Christians are few in number globally, our message is the precise nourishment the starving world craves, and we are sent to share it. We rely on God to amplify our efforts, adding members to His Church as we gather them together. As Mark 16:15 declares, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Consider 1 Corinthians 3:5-9: “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one (having the same mission); but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Do you see how the deeper significance of the loaves and fish reflects the Great Commission, our duty as faithful Christians? Godspeed

Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!”

The needs of the Spirit outweigh the needs of the flesh.

The Lord's Church is not a denomination.

All Christians are believers, but not all believers are Christians. Just as All Christians are Saints, but not all saints are Christians. If the above doesn't make sense to you, perhaps a milk fast before we press on to maturity.

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. Does Canada have the cards? There's chatter about 51st state, while US makes deals with Japan for LNG, deals with Russia for aluminum, deals with Ukraine for rare earth minerals, drill baby drill, going to Fort Knox to verify the gold. This is why you never have just a single customer, or a single supplier. Here's hoping that Canada is Satoshi. However, no worries for us Christians for the mountain of the Lord is greater than all other mountains.

Faith Alone Faith Only in the Blood is insufficient for Salvation. Just like FAFO, water only is nothing. IE, infant baptism. A matter is confirmed (one's salvation) by two (water and Spirit) or three (Spirit, water and Blood) witnesses. 1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, faith in the Blood is the prerequisite for water, and water is the prerequisite for receiving the Spirit for the forgiveness of sin.

2025 goals: 1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. Godspeed

Fix the heart, fix the world.