Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the military members who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. My dad served in WWII onboard a transport ship in the South Pacific. When the attack alarm sounded, he manned a turret, firing a .50 cal. automatic weapon. Another sailor would turn the turret while dad aimed at an oncoming kamikaze; Japanese plane loaded with explosives. I once ask him if he ever shot one down. He replied the ship was moving, the turret was moving, and the plane was moving, so it was hard to tell which gun hit its target; crashing the plane in the ocean. Other ships were not so lucky. Just days before his death, dad confessed that for years he felt guilty for surviving the war when almost 300,000 died. I assured dad God had a plan for his life, and supernaturally saved him. If none of those guns on dad’s ship had hit the planes, I wouldn’t be here to write this Word.

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Ponzi schemes refer to Charles Ponzi, who in the 1920’s devised an investment plan that promised high rates of return. Ponzi used funds from new investors to pay existing investors; not money earned from investments. When the scam was exposed, newer investors lost their funds. Ponzi schemes continue today to the ruin of its victims who had complete faith in the conman. Ephesians 4:5, “one Lord, one faith.” Satan is the greatest of all conmen, promising pleasure which leaves one in pain. Don’t be conned.

The Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Last week the Word dealt with Godly conduct. In the flesh, we cannot conduct ourselves as He instructs; so He sent His Holy Spirit as a Helper. Dr. David Jeremiah wrote, “He has called you, and will be faithful to work in you what is pleasing to Him.” I’ll close with this blessing: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Isaiah 56:1, This is what the Lord says, “Be just and fair in all things. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you.”    This Word is Father God’s instructions on how we are to conduct ourselves; followed by His proclamation of rescue. He calls us to be set apart from the wicked world that is unjust and unfair. Current conditions confirm the words of Jesus when He spoke of the end-time signs. Let’s commit to remain Rapture Ready!

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Mahatma Gandhi was a political activist who lead a nonviolent movement for India’s independence from British rule. His leadership inspired civil rights campaigns. A Hindu, Gandhi researched other religions. After reading about Gandhi’s admiration for the teachings of Jesus, a newspaper reporter asked him, “You admire Christ, so why don’t you become a Christian?” Gandhi replied, “I would if I could find one.” An indictment to all who claim Christ, but live like the devil. 1 Peter 4:6 “. . . live according to God in the Spirit.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

We see the outward appearance of a person, but God sees inside; the heart of the matter. Woodrow Kroll wrote, “The heart of the problem is the problem with the heart.” Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil . . .”  Born-again believers have a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. . .”  2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is a Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

I had the privilege of serving as Character Development Officer in the Air Force Civil Air Patrol. During the Obama administration, my squadron commander advised me of a Department of Defense order that prohibited military chaplains from praying in the name of Jesus. Before I could respond, he ordered me to ignore the order, and if we lost our commissions, so be it. I commented my commander and reminded him of the words of Jesus, “If you confess me before men, I will confess you before my Father,” Matthew 10:3

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The children’s game of hide-and-seek has the words: Ready or not, here I come. Hebrews 9:28, “. . . He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.” Skeptics say the word RAPTURE is not found in the Bible. They are correct. The Apostle Paul used the words “caught-up” to describe a future event when the church will be suddenly taken-up to heaven. When a catholic monk was translating scripture to Latin, he used the word rapturo, meaning snatched-up, thus the modern term rapture . In contract law, an escape clause is used to provide a party the opportunity to cancel the agreement under certain conditions. Escape from a world gone mad is conditional upon accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. For those who have, Jesus said, ” . . . look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Christian actress Roma Downey has co-produced a movie, RESURRECTION, which will premier tomorrow, Saturday, March 27th on Discovery+ T.V. Stream. She wrote, “I think believers will love the story, but it’s exciting to me that maybe someone who doesn’t know the story, it’ll open their hearts.” John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall never die.”

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Topic: Best Laid Plans
Connie ten Boom wrote, “God has no problems, only plans.”      Jesus said in this world  we would have trouble (problems).              He completed His statement with words of encouragement; He has overcome this world. If we find ourselves overcome by life, read Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for good, and not evil; plans for a future and hope.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

John 9:25, ” . . . I was blind, now I see.” John Newton’s song, AMAZING GRACE, incorporates these words. An eye exam revealed   I had cataracts that impaired my vision. Surgery removed them; implant lenses provided sharper images, and brighter colors. There’s one sight medical science cannot restore: Spiritual Insight. Wisdom (James 1:5) comes by way of The Word. I’ll close with these song lyrics, “I can see clearly now.”

Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The U.S. Postal Service receives letters addressed to GOD. They are placed in a Dead Letter Bend; but not dead to God.  Each letter is a request for help: a job, a spouse, for healing, and other needs. Philippians 4:6, “Be not anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer . . . let your requests be known to God.” Let’s write God today.

The Weekly Word

Religion

Witten And Submitted By  Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

2 Timothy 3:12, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” So much for the feel good preachers. Here’s reality: David Jeremiah wrote, “God is at work in our lives, even when we’re being pressured or persecuted for our faith. Don’t be intimidated by the world; be motivated by the Word.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

Written And Submitted by Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

In the T.V. episodes of THE GOOD PLACE, people die and arrive in a good place where they believe if they become a better person, they earn the privilege of staying. Nice try Hollywood, but no re-takes. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

Written And Submitted By:  Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Ephesians 1:14, “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised.” I served as executor of my parents estate. They worked hard to provide for their children, even providing left-overs. As children of God, we stand to inherit the riches of His Kingdom. Romans 8:16, “The Spirit Himself bears witness that we are children of God. v.17 and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ . . .” Glory to God!

The Weekly Word

Community, Religion

Written And Submitted By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The 19th century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” The language lyrics change, but not their meaning. Christian music is focused on the One who never changes (Hebrews13:8). Songwriter Charles Wesley wrote, “My tongue is ready to sing the glories of my heavenly King.”

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