September 30, 2026 · 11:19 AM

Is Jesus’ Message Criminal?

A man named Isaac in New Hampshire left a message on the door of a church in his town.1 The church is known for its liberal ideas, openly promoting LGBTQ lifestyles. Isaac left his message on the door of the ‘church’ early one morning without entering the property, without causing any damage to the property, without confronting anyone who attends the church.

His message warned about God’s judgment and urged repentance. He was charged with making a criminal threat. Prosecutors tried to have him convicted and thrown in jail!

Would Jesus be arrested if he were teaching and preaching in New Hampshire? Can we still talk about sin and repentance?

An article about a woman getting kicked out of church caught my eye.2 I was curious. Her name is Tammy and she is married to a guy named Drew. She is a star on a TV show called “Double Lives.” I knew nothing about this show until I read the article. I wanted to know why a church would expel someone from its membership.

Tammy and her husband supposedly have a normal suburban life, married and raising their kids together. But they also have a business together, a business producing ‘adult content’ for the internet. If you don’t know what that is, it’s pornography.

In the article, Tammy is predictably critical of her former church and predictably defensive about her lifestyle. She admits that she wrestles with the conflict of saying she is a follower of Jesus and producing pornography to put more money in her pocket. She prefers talking about the sins in the lives of the church people. She thinks she’s better than they are because she is open about her sin and doesn’t try to hide it.

Another thing she doesn’t do is repent. The title of the TV show fits her like a glove. She is trying to live a double life. But Jesus doesn’t call us to live double lives, which is simply another way of saying that our words don’t match our deeds. Jesus has a word for people like that: hypocrites.

Jesus was consistent in his call for people to repent, to turn from sin and trust in the Lord. He was clear that everyone needs to repent and those who refuse to do so will perish.

Then I saw another article about a woman named Victoria Sinis.3 Victoria was involved with something called OnlyFans. It is a subscription-based social media platform where creators share original media, including live streams, directly with subscribers. And, surprise, it is seventy to eighty percent pornography, more ‘adult content.’

Victoria started to notice how ‘adult content’ was destroying lives, getting men addicted then leaving them isolated, lonely, depressed, and incapable of having a healthy relationship. She felt so bad that she started looking for a good deed that would make up for the harm she was causing.

Victoria’s journey led her back to the church she visited as a child. She heard God’s word, reconnected with Jesus, and left the ‘adult content’ industry completely. Now she travels the world and warns people about the dangers of ‘adult content.’

Who sounds more like Jesus? Victoria, formerly of OnlyFans? Or Tammy, still with “Double Lives”? Jesus warns that defending sin and refusing to repent is the road to perishing. But he assures us that we need not go down the pathway to eternal destruction. Turning from sin and trusting Jesus is the way to salvation.

Isaac in New Hampshire was not prosecuted for his message about repentance to the LGBT ‘church.’ They say it’s a victory for free speech, but Jesus fights for something far more important than free speech. We should be fighting for something far more important than free speech. Our fight is not to win arguments, or even legal battles. Our battle is to win souls!

May the Lord inspire us and empower us to be faithful to his unchanging truth,

Brother Richard Foster

1. Damien Fisher, “Free Speech Win,” New Hampshire Journal, November 19, 2025.

2. Danielle Minnetion, “‘Double Lives’ Star,” Fox News, September 17, 2026.

3. Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi, “Deprogrammed: Ex-OnlyFans Manager,” Fox News, September 5, 2026.

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August 31, 2026 · 3:13 PM

The Struggle To Know God’s Will

What a blessing God has given us through Sam, Lauren, Judson, and Paxton! I have been delighted to see the fruit of Sam’s and Lauren’s ministry since they came to Grace in January. I have personally benefited from serving the Lord with Sam.

I believe Sam’s time as our Minister to Families has been far too short. Nevertheless, I trust that our Lord has a plan for Sam and his family and for Grace Baptist. I have certainly learned that my personal desires are not always a good indicator of God’s will.

Hearing and answering God’s call can be a mighty struggle. Moses struggled to answer God’s call at the burning bush. Gideon struggled to answer God’s call, putting out the fleece twice. Jonah ran the other way. Even Jesus struggled with God’s call when Calvary’s cross loomed ever so close. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked God to let this cup of suffering pass by.

How can we hear God clearly? Romans 12:2 exhorts us to avoid being conformed to the pattern of this world, instead to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we can test and approve what God’s will is. The clutter and darkness from this world make it difficult to discern God’s will. Offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) positions us to hear and follow God’s plan for our service to him.

Worldly notions about God’s will and our own preconceptions can make it harder for us to understand our Lord’s guidance. For instance, we might assume that the struggle is usually to answer God’s call into fulltime vocational ministry, to leave ‘secular’ employment and make our living at church work. But God may call someone out of ‘church work’ for a fruitful ministry through volunteer work in the church and a gospel presence in another profession.

Knowing God’s call is worth the effort. He made each of us and equipped each of us to serve and succeed in a particular way that builds his kingdom and brings deep satisfaction to our soul. All the accolades of the world are but a dim flicker compared to Jesus’ words when we finally see him, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”

We may struggle, but God doesn’t give up on us. In fact, I believe the struggle is part of the journey. Moses, Gideon, Jonah, and others struggled with God’s will, but they eventually found their way to the right path and accomplished great things for God. Hearing and answering God’s call will be a mighty victory!

How did Jesus resolve his question about God’s will? He got down on his knees and prayed. He wanted his closest friends to pray with him, Peter, James and John. They were nearby, but they fell asleep.

This is no time for us to fall asleep and miss the hour of prayer. Let’s resolve to pray for Sam and his family. And let’s resolve to pray for Grace Baptist. We seek to know our Lord’s will so that we might walk in it.

May the Lord stir our hearts to know and to follow his perfect plan,

Brother Richard Foster

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July 29, 2026 · 1:18 PM

The Threat Of ‘Socialism’

Socialism seems to be on the rise in our nation. This political philosophy is clearly more popular in cities than in rural areas and on the coasts than in the heartland. Nevertheless, it is a phenomenon that must be reckoned with.

What is it? In short, it is a misrepresentation of reality.

Socialism disparages capitalism, yet history clearly demonstrates that capitalism has created a higher standard of living for more people in a shorter period of time than any other political system known to humanity. Socialism is wrong about capitalism.

Socialism promises to provide what everyone needs. It criticizes capitalism for creating a huge disparity between the wealthy and the poor. But in capitalist societies, large numbers of people live comfortably in the middle class. Socialism hates and attacks the wealthy producers who create jobs for the middle class. If empowered, they would leave nothing but the wealthy elitist state leaders and a poor working class. Socialism creates more poverty than wealth.

Socialism is dishonest. It is a preliminary step toward Communism, but this is never admitted openly. Why? Because many people are aware of the tragedies of Communism, the tens of millions of people who died because of Communism in the past hundred years. Socialism uses soothing words like “Socialist” and “Democratic” to mislead people.

Socialism claims that people are basically good. The problem with our world is capitalism, so they say. If we allow Socialists to radically transform society, they promise that people will magically begin to share with one another and nobody will be lacking in anything they truly need.

Once again, Socialism is proved wrong. History has spoken. Many who lived under Communist rule saw the lies and tried to uncover them. But those who dissent against the Communists are often persecuted, imprisoned, or even executed. Communists believe that re-educating or eliminating all who disagree will catapult humanity into a new era of harmony and happiness. But the true nature of humanity always reasserts itself in our children and grandchildren.

Now our conversation has crossed over into spiritual territory. The Bible denies that all people are basically good. The Bible asserts that all people are sinners in need of God’s saving grace. Capitalism and our republic, with its prudent division of powers, is based on this foundational aspect of a Biblical worldview. We expect every generation of humans to need redemption until Jesus returns.

And now we come to the final and most fundamental distinction. Socialism/Communism is built on an atheistic worldview. They strongly oppose any form of religion. In their struggle to transform nations and governments, they will make temporary alliances with religious groups. But once again, history is clear. Once in power, Communists turn against all who believe in God. The church is pushed aside. Children are indoctrinated with atheism in state-controlled schools.

The political situation in Jesus’ day was also dire. The Roman Empire occupied and oppressed Israel and many other nations in the Mediterranean world. How did Jesus respond? His focus was on announcing God’s kingdom plan for salvation by faith, despite the personal cost. His trust was in the power of God’s living and active word.

Jesus’ followers faced persecution at the hands of Roman leaders. How did they respond? They followed the example of their Lord. They boldly announced the good news about God’s salvation by faith in Jesus, despite the personal cost. They trusted the power of God’s living and active word.

For two thousand years, the gospel has displayed the power to transform lives, families, communities, and even nations. Empires have come and gone. Philosophies have come and gone. Great personalities have come and gone. God’s kingdom will outlast them all. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. We can trust the power of God’s living and active word!

Brother Richard Foster

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June 29, 2026 · 9:15 AM

God Bless The U.S.A.

This year we recognize and celebrate 250 years of the United States of America. Sadly, some people oppose the celebration. Instead, they characterize our nation in the most negative terms.

I remember when we celebrated the nation’s 200th anniversary in 1976: the Bicentennial. Our country had a lot of challenges that were dividing us in 1976. We had recently come through a decade of political assassinations. We experienced the agony of the Vietnam War. We watched as the Civil Rights movement unleashed violence and strife in the streets of our cities.

In spite of all these challenges and divisions, we remembered and celebrated 200 years of American liberty. Despite our mistakes and problems, there was a sense of agreement that we were blessed to be citizens of this great nation.

In 2026, many people refuse to set aside political differences even for a moment to agree on the greatness of America. Why do so many people now think our nation is unworthy of any celebration? Have we built our nation on shaky sand or on solid ground?

Two thousand years ago, Jesus’ teaching sowed the seeds for revolutionary change. On one occasion, his enemies were questioning him about taxes, trying to embarrass him publicly. He asked for a common coin, a denarius. He asked them whose picture was on the coin. Caesar’s picture was on the coin. He was the ruler of the Roman Empire.

Jesus told them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. With those words Jesus laid the foundation for what we now know as separation of church and state, a radical new idea where the state does not exercise power over the church and the church does not rule the nation. Each has its legitimate sphere of power or jurisdiction.

Jesus also taught that people must decide for themselves to confess him as Lord and become his followers. He never used the power of government to coerce people into making a confession of faith. When the Rich Young Ruler rejected Jesus’ invitation to become a disciple, Jesus respected the man’s decision though he disagreed with it.

Jesus laid the foundation stones for freedom of speech and freedom of religion. These are freedoms we have enjoyed all our lives, as did our parents, our grandparents, and generations before them.

The world Jesus visited knew nothing about these freedoms. There was no freedom of religion in the ancient world. Each nation, each people, each tribe had its own god or gods. To live with a certain group was to adopt and worship that group’s gods. It was expected. Anything else was disloyal or even traitorous.

We are blessed to be citizens of the United States. We can gather and worship freely according to our consciences without fear that law enforcement will break through the doors and arrest us for doing so. There are places in our world today where followers of Jesus fear losing their freedom, or fear losing their property or jobs, or even fear losing their lives for doing what we do every week.

Freedom of speech and religion are our first freedoms, bedrock principles of our nation and fundamental to our identity as a people. They rest not on the shifting sand of human ideas but on the cornerstone of God’s Truth. Our founding documents assert natural rights that come from nature’s God.

Not everyone agrees. Those who want to fundamentally change our nation and culture believe that human rights are socially constructed, that the government bestows all our rights and that the government can change those rights or take them away. But they are wrong. Government is ordained by God to protect the rights that God has given us.

Those who came before us built these great freedoms on the solid rock of Jesus’ teaching. We are blessed to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We are responsible to protect these freedoms so those who follow us can continue to enjoy them and give God the glory!

May God richly bless the United States of America,

Brother Richard Foster

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June 5, 2026 · 9:53 PM

We Need The Light Of Jesus

The Bible verse for VBS this year is John 8:12. Jesus says “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Light is an important theme in the Bible. God’s first command in Scripture is, “Let there be light” (see Genesis 1:3). After that, light is often used as a symbol for God and his truth throughout the Bible.

Once God liberated the Israelite slaves from Egypt, he went before them as a pillar of fire at night, a light in the darkness guiding them to the Promised Land. Once in the Promised Land, King David of Israel wrote in praise to God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised to send the Messiah. He would be, “a light for the nations” (see Isaiah 49:6). Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He is God’s light for the nations. God sent him to be the light for our path, the one we can follow to the ultimate Promised Land, heaven itself, where the Bible assures us that we will “not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb,” Jesus (see Revelation 21:23).

Jesus says that he is the light of the world, not just the light for any one group, not even merely for his chosen people Israel. The prophet Isaiah was speaking to Israel when he told them God’s word about their Messiah, that he would be a light for the nations, God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. They would share the light with the world.

Jesus promises that anyone who follows him will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. No matter what our background or what our past mistakes and sins may be, Jesus calls us to follow him and avoid the spiritual darkness in this world.

Following Jesus means being his disciple, learning from him and becoming more like him. As we follow him, he enables us to avoid the darkness of this age, the deception and destruction that have corrupted the world around us. This includes making the wise choices that keep us from falling into spiritual ruin.

More than avoiding the darkness, by following Jesus we can have the light of life. This includes morality and ethics, doing the right thing. But it also includes a personal response to the Lord, worshiping and serving him, not just following a set of rules.

When Jesus first spoke these words, hostile religious leaders began criticizing him. They desperately wanted to embarrass him in public and destroy his reputation and popularity with the people who were following him or considering doing so.

Despite their best efforts, people were persuaded by Jesus and became his followers. Despite the distressing spiritual darkness of our world today, Jesus still calls on people with the same promise. He is the light of the world. Anyone can choose to follow him and enjoy the light of life.

Jesus also told his followers that they are the light of the world (see Matthew 5:14). His light in us is not only for us, it is for the nations, including our own nation, including our own community. Jesus’ light shines in us and through us to reach others.

VBS is a powerful tool for shining Jesus’ light on children at Grace Baptist and in Camden. Pray for God to bless our efforts again this year as we call on others to join us in following Jesus, avoiding the darkness, and enjoying the light of life!

May God’s Spirit inspire and empower us to reflect his great light,

Brother Richard Foster

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May 12, 2026 · 1:58 PM

Astronaut Victor Glover Sees The Light

NASA’s Artemis II splashed down recently after a successful mission around the far side of the moon. Four astronauts traveled more than 252,000 miles from earth. That is four thousand miles deeper into space than anyone has ever gone!

The total distance they traveled was close to 700,000 miles. They did that in just over ten days. You’ve gotta break the speed limit to go 700,000 miles in ten days! They were going 25 thousand miles per hour when they re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.

The pilot of Artemis II was a man named Victor Glover. He is very open about his faith in Christ. He has a strong Christian witness. He also has a unique perspective. He has seen things very few people will ever see. We can marvel at the images they sent back to Earth, but he has seen it with his own eyes.

When Victor Glover looks at the vastness and beauty of the universe he sees the handiwork of God. He sees what Scripture describes in Psalm 19: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (NIV). Glover has the eyes to see the fingerprints of God in the physical world.

Jesus urges us to see the light of God’s truth not just in the physical world around us, but to let God’s spiritual light illuminate our hearts. “Your eye,” he says, “is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light” (Luke 11:34, CSB).

Physical light illustrates important properties of spiritual light. When the sun is up, a healthy physical eye sees clearly so we can move about with confidence. But if our eyesight is bad, the sun is little help. If our eyesight is bad, we are not allowed to have a driver’s license unless we have some kind of correction for our vision, glasses or contact lenses.

If my spiritual eyes are blurry, then I cannot clearly see God’s light: Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. Without the light of Jesus, I will easily get off the pathway that God has laid out. When I do, I face great danger. ‘Driving’ a life without clear spiritual vision is hazardous.

Many people are more comfortable with the spiritual darkness of this world than the light of Jesus. They try to remain in spiritual slumber. When the light comes, they are irritated by it. Jesus irritated a lot of people. They were comfortable with their blurred vision of the world and of reality and of the truth.

On Easter Sunday, Victor Glover was on the Artemis II somewhere between Earth and the Moon. He was interviewed by CBS news. The astronaut talked about how amazing it is to see our Earth from space and spoke about how this Earth was created to give us a place in the universe.

Glover continued, saying that we should remember where we are, who we are.

Being in the vastness of space inspired Victor to think about the big questions in life, our place in the universe, our true identity, our purpose.

The pilot of Artemis II said that while astronauts and scientists are unlocking the mysteries of the universe, we should remember an important mystery on earth: love. Glover noted Jesus’ important saying about love. When questioned about the greatest commandment, Jesus said it is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And, Jesus insisted that we must also love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Jesus is the light of the world. When we follow him, we do not walk in darkness. Instead, we have the light of life.

God give us the eyes to see and the heart to follow the light of Jesus,

Brother Richard Foster

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April 7, 2026 · 4:12 PM

A Sign From God

They asked Jesus for a sign, something to prove that he had God’s endorsement. By asking for a sign, they were rejecting all the miracles that Jesus had already performed. It’s as if they were saying, “We know that you’ve performed miracles, but we want a sign from heaven. We want a different kind of miracle, our kind of miracle!”

What kind of miracles had Jesus already shown them? He healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed a storm, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. When he was baptized God spoke from heaven and his Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove. What more do they want?

Jesus’ miracles would never be enough for those with hard hearts. But they were more than enough for those with open hearts hungry for God’s healing power. Jesus’ miracles are signs pointing toward God’s plan for eternity, previews of heaven. When he fed more than 5,000 people with barely enough food for one, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no food stamps in heaven. Hunger will finally be wiped out.

When Jesus healed a man who could not hear or talk, and when he healed all kinds of other illnesses with simply a touch or a word, he was previewing God’s kingdom. No healthcare premiums or trips to clinics or hospitals in heaven. Sickness will be no more.

When Jesus forgave people their sins, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no temptation or disobedience in heaven. Guilt will be gone. Everyone’s conscience will be clear.

When Jesus cast out the legion of demons from the man living in the cemetery, he was previewing God’s kingdom. Satan and his demons will not bother us in heaven. There will be no rebellion, no evil, no police departments, no prisons or jails.

When Jesus calmed the storm with his simple rebuke, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no natural disasters in heaven, no need for insurance policies or FEMA.

And when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, he was previewing one of the greatest things of all about God’s kingdom. There will be no cemeteries in heaven. Nobody will die. No funerals to attend!

Of course, Jesus himself walked away from his tomb after giving his life on the cross. What greater sign could there be?

Why couldn’t they see God’s hand at work in Jesus? Their personal agenda blinded them from God’s greater plan. Jesus came to rescue them from Satan. They wanted to be rescued from the Roman Empire. Jesus died to forgive their sins once for all. They were content with their animal sacrifices. Jesus arose from the dead to give them new life. They were already impressed with the lives they were living.

Jesus’ miracles are previews of God’s promises about heaven. In this world, we live in a sort of preview of both heaven and hell, God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.

We don’t have all the goodness of heaven yet. People still get sick and die. Bad things still happen to good people. But as bad as things can be on this old earth, it’s not hell. And as good as it may sometimes get, it’s still not heaven.

Each of us must choose our allegiance, our loyalty. Do we want to spend eternity with more of what’s good in this creation or with more of what’s wrong with this creation?

When Jesus returns he will separate everyone according to that choice, like sheep from goats—some bound for heaven, and others for hell.

May we see the signs that God is giving us, and choose to follow the Savior he sent,

Brother Richard

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March 6, 2026 · 3:15 PM

Why Our Prayers Should Be Confident

Do you ever lose heart in prayer?

Jesus taught about prayer on one occasion by telling a parable. In the parable, a man has an unexpected houseguest (Luke 11:5-8). It’s late and he has nothing to offer the weary traveler. So he goes to his neighbor for help.

The neighbor is unhappy about the interruption. It’s late. “Don’t bother me!” he says. His door is locked. His children are in bed. “I can’t get up to give you anything!” the neighbor tells the man.

Sometimes it seems as if God is like the unwilling neighbor in this parable. It seems as if God is saying, “Don’t bother me!” As if the door to his blessing is closed and locked. As if God is busy with those on the inside, and I am on the outside, empty-handed.

But I know God is not too busy. His door is not locked. He cares for all his sons and daughters, including me. I know it. I don’t always feel it. But I know that God is faithful. And I know that God is able.

Jesus concluded his parable by saying that the man would eventually get out of bed and offer help. Why? Not because the man was his friend, but because of the man’s shameless boldness.

I’ve heard some people pray who sounded like they were giving God commands, barking orders. Is this what Jesus is calling for? If so, we should find examples of prayer in the rest of the New Testament where people were brash and pushy with God. We don’t.

Prayer in the New Testament is often bold and confident, but never demanding or demeaning to God. If I start telling God what to do, then my prayers have gone from seeking “Thy kingdom” to chasing “my kingdom.”

Jesus continues his teaching about prayer by telling his disciples to ask, seek, and knock. Ask is a word that describes the heart and soul of prayer. We should ask. But Jesus doesn’t stop there.

Jesus says that prayer is also seeking. The Bible tells us that if we seek God with all our hearts we will find him. This makes sense. If we want to ask God then we must first approach him.

Since God is everywhere, seeking him may be more a matter of setting aside the world so that we can be aware of him, and so that we can be aware of our constant need for him. To seek God means that we must put aside our many distractions.

Jesus goes one more step and characterizes prayer as knocking. Knocking implies that a door is closed and must be opened. The Bible speaks about God opening the storehouses of heaven, God opening the floodgates of heaven.

If a friend who doesn’t want to get up and help can be persuaded by a little bold persistence, then how much more so will God answer our prayers when we ask, seek, and knock! Jesus continues by saying that God will give his Spirit to those who ask.

The Holy Spirit is God himself. The Holy Spirit is God’s invisible, personal, powerful presence in the world today, dwelling in the hearts of his people, his sons and daughters, followers of Jesus. God himself is our greatest need because he is the ultimate source of all our provisions and blessings.

We go to God and ask him to help us with our needs. God responds, I’ll do more than that! I’ll come and walk with you. I myself will be with you to meet every circumstance, every enemy, every challenge! The best thing we can have, the greatest gift of all is God on our side, God with us, God in us.

May we ask, seek, and knock, and may God’s Spirit answer by filling us and empowering us,

Brother Richard

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February 12, 2026 · 3:45 PM

Do You Have A Biblical Worldview?

Do you have a biblical worldview? What is a biblical worldview? People offer various ways of defining and measuring one’s worldview. One easy approach is to use three questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?

Our answers to these fundamental questions will indicate whether we base our view of reality on God’s revelation in Scripture or not. For instance, an atheist is likely to answer the first question by saying that humanity is the result of happenstance, the product of a surprising unsupervised and somewhat random sequence of natural events.

The honest and consistent atheist is forced to answer the second question by admitting that humanity has no real meaning or purpose. Any meaning or purpose in life must be supplied by us. Finally, the atheist would answer the third question by saying that we die and decay. Our consciousness ceases to exist. We simply turn to dirt and we are forgotten, some sooner than others.

The atheist’s answers are at odds with the Bible. The atheist worldview is not a biblical worldview. The biblical view of our world begins with God: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God made our universe, fine-tuning it for human life on planet Earth.

The climax of God’s creation is humanity. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God made us in his image and that he made us male and female. A biblical worldview begins with the understanding that we are a special act of creation by God. Where did we come from? We are created by God in his image.

The Genesis account proceeds to tell us that God made us to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:26-28). But we learn in Genesis 3 that our relationship with God was broken when Adam and Eve chose to disobey him. Humanity fell into a state of rebellion against God.

The remainder of Scripture unfolds God’s great work in history to save repentant sinners and to defeat evil. The climax of God’s plan is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The finished work of Jesus opens the door of God’s grace. Now sinners can be forgiven and have new life as sons and daughters of God.

The biblical worldview answers the second question of meaning and purpose in this life. We are here to be reconciled to God (to be eternally saved) and to help others do the same (2 Corinthains 5:17-21). Once we are made right with God, we can enjoy his blessings and live fruitful lives.

The Bible also answers the third question. Our future includes a day of judgment before God when everyone will answer to him for the things done in this life (Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 12:26). Those who trust in God’s promised Savior Jesus will be judged by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Those who reject God’s offer of salvation by grace will be condemned by their own actions (Revelation 20:11-15).

God promises a new heaven and a new earth for his people, all who are saved by his grace through faith in his Son Jesus (Revelation 21-22). There will be no crying or dying, no sadness or sorrow, no pain or suffering. Sin will be eradicated. God’s people will see him face to face and enjoy him and his blessings for eternity.

A biblical worldview affirms that we are made by God in his image. We are here to be saved by his grace and help others do the same. And we are going to heaven where we will enjoy his love and presence fully and forever.

Do you have a biblical worldview? If you don’t, I urge you to accept it. If you do, I urge you to share it!

May the God who was, is, and is to come bless us with his truth and love,

Brother Richard

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January 13, 2026 · 11:57 AM

Determined To Be Like Jesus

The days were being fulfilled for Jesus’ ascension. That is, the time was drawing near for Jesus to return to the Father in heaven, the climax of his God-given mission in the first century.

Before his ascension, it was necessary for Jesus to go to Jerusalem, to suffer many things and be rejected by the religious leaders, to be killed, and to be resurrected on the third day. Then, he would ascend back to heaven.

Luke tells us that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. In other words, he was determined to go there and fulfill his mission. It took determination to carry out his mission because Jesus faced opposition.

First, Jesus faced spiritual opposition. The devil tempted him to choose an easier path to success than the one chosen for him by God. Jesus rejected the devil’s advice.

Second, Jesus faced opposition from his own followers. When Jesus first spoke about his mission to be God’s promised Suffering Servant, Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. Jesus forcefully responded to Peter, telling the former fisherman that he was mistaken to try and change Jesus’ mind.

Two other disciples, James and John, wanted to call down fire and destroy a Samaritan village because they would not receive Jesus. Jesus rebuked his disciples for their suggestion. He refused to be distracted from his mission by personal insults and power struggles.

Third, Jesus struggled with his own humanity. As his suffering at Calvary loomed ever closer, Jesus prayed in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking God to change his mission. But prayer strengthened Jesus and gave him the resolve to carry on and fulfill his calling.

Jesus was determined to do God’s work God’s way, despite the sacrifice. When he completed his God-given mission, Jesus enjoyed a great victory, a victory he wants to share with us.

In 2026, we will need determination to carry out our God-given mission. We will face spiritual opposition. We will face opposition and distraction from our own desires. We may even face opposition from fellow Christians.

Like Jesus, we can set our face to do God’s work God’s way, despite the sacrifice. We can be determined to avoid fighting the wrong battles the wrong way, despite the temptation.

Like Jesus, we can find confidence through prayer and experience the inspiration and empowering of God’s Holy Spirit. And, like Jesus, we can be sure to share in a great eternal victory, one that brings glory to God and blessings to many.

May the Lord give us determination to fulfill our gospel mission and share his great victory,

Brother Richard

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