Truth

Obedience to Christ  – John 14:21 (ESV)  “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

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“Our Lord always lived by principle, never by circumstance. As His disciples, how do we live? By circumstance or by principle?”     Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt H”)

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: https://lylebrennan.com. 

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Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man 

by Walter Henrichsen

The Wife of Your Youth

Day Three Hundred Forty-one

“He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”  Malachi 2:13-14

Although women sue for divorce, men in particular have a problem with this issue; they value the looks and shape of women to such a degree that they are often tempted to divorce the wife of their youth and the mother of their children in order to satisfy their lust for fleshly beauty.  In Malachi’s day the men reasoned: “Abraham put away Hagar, by whom he had begotten Ishmael, and who was therefore also his wife.”434   The Pharisees sought to leverage Jesus with the argument that Moses gave a bill of divorce.435  Such sophomoric reasoning can easily be seen for what it is: an endeavor to justify violating God’s commandments.  You cannot use a biblical example to justify breaking or modifying a biblical command.

Society joins God in condemning divorce, evidenced by the disparaging remarks made about those who abandon their families for “greener pastures.”  Children are angry with their father and the courts generally take the side of the mother. And rightly so, for it is a shameful act that God will harshly judge.  Your marriage is bound by an inviolable covenant.  You will never be able to replace the wife of your youth, no matter how attractive the options may appear, and God warns you not to try. 

434 This is the rebuttal of the people in response to Malachi”s accusation in Malachi 2:13 ff.

435  cf. Matthew 19:3-12

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Daniel 5-7 2 John 1 (New King James Version)

Daniel 5-7

Belshazzar’s Feast

5 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his [a]father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. 7 The king cried [b]aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were [c]astonished.

10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your [d]father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your [e]father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and [f]explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

The Writing on the Wall Explained

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel [g]who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my [h]father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the [i]Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and [j]explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your [k]father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he [l]knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have [m]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of [n]His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [o]fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

[p]MENE, MENE, [q]TEKEL, [r]UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”[s] 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Belshazzar’s Fall

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

The Plot Against Daniel

6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [t]does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [u]does not alter.”

13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is [v]one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [w]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [x]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast himinto the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no [y]musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep [z]went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a [aa]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

Darius Honors God

24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

25 Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men musttremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God,

And steadfast forever;

His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,

And His dominion shall endure to the end.

27 

He delivers and rescues,

And He works signs and wonders

In heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the [ab]power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Vision of the Four Beasts

7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel [ac]had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling [ad]the main facts.

2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

5 “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’

6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking [ae]pompous words.

Vision of the Ancient of Days

9 

“I watched till thrones were [af]put in place,

And the Ancient of Days was seated;

His garment was white as snow,

And the hair of His head was like pure wool.

His throne was a fiery flame,

Its wheels a burning fire;

10 

A fiery stream issued

And came forth from before Him.

A thousand thousands ministered to Him;

Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.

The [ag]court was seated,

And the books were opened.

11 “I watched then because of the sound of the [ah]pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

13 

“I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.

14 

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel’s Visions Interpreted

15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit [ai]within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, arefour [aj]kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke [ak]pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.

21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

23 “Thus he said:

‘The fourth beast shall be

A fourth kingdom on earth,

Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,

And shall devour the whole earth,

Trample it and break it in pieces.

24 

The ten horns are ten kings

Who shall arise from this kingdom.

And another shall rise after them;

He shall be different from the first ones,

And shall subdue three kings.

25 

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,

Shall persecute[al] the saints of the Most High,

And shall intend to change times and law.

Then the saints shall be given into his hand

For a time and times and half a time.

26 

‘But the court shall be seated,

And they shall take away his dominion,

To consume and destroy it forever.

27 

Then the kingdom and dominion,

And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,

Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

28 “This is the end of the [am]account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.”

Footnotes:

• Daniel 5:2 Or ancestor
• Daniel 5:7 Lit. with strength
• Daniel 5:9 perplexed
• Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
• Daniel 5:11 Or ancestor
• Daniel 5:12 Lit. untying knots
• Daniel 5:13 Lit. who is of the sons of the captivity
• Daniel 5:13 Or ancestor
• Daniel 5:14 Or spirit of the gods
• Daniel 5:16 Lit. untie knots
• Daniel 5:18 Or ancestor
• Daniel 5:21 Recognized
• Daniel 5:23 Exalted
• Daniel 5:23 The temple
• Daniel 5:24 Lit. palm
• Daniel 5:25 Lit. a mina (50 shekels) from the verb “to number”
• Daniel 5:25 Lit. a shekel from the verb “to weigh”
• Daniel 5:25 Lit. and half-shekels from the verb “to divide”; pl. of Peres, v. 28
• Daniel 5:28 Aram. Paras, consonant with Peres
• Daniel 6:8 Lit. does not pass away
• Daniel 6:12 Lit. does not pass away
• Daniel 6:13 Lit. of the sons of the captivity
• Daniel 6:14 strove
• Daniel 6:15 Lit. thronged before
• Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
• Daniel 6:18 Or fled
• Daniel 6:20 Or grieved
• Daniel 6:27 Lit. hand
• Daniel 7:1 Lit. saw
• Daniel 7:1 Lit. the head or chief of the words
• Daniel 7:8 Lit. great things
• Daniel 7:9 Or set up
• Daniel 7:10 Or judgment
• Daniel 7:11 Lit. great
• Daniel 7:15 Lit. in the midst of its sheath
• Daniel 7:17 Representing their kingdoms, v. 23
• Daniel 7:20 Lit. great things
• Daniel 7:25 Lit. wear out
• Daniel 7:28 Lit. word

2 John

Greeting the Elect Lady

1 The Elder,

To the [a]elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with [b]you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Walk in Christ’s Commandments

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that [c]we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

9 Whoever [d]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

John’s Farewell Greeting

12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

Footnotes:

• 2 John 1:1 chosen
• 2 John 1:3 NU, M us
• 2 John 1:8 NU you
• 2 John 1:9 NU goes ahead

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please Pray for:

Brother Mike Welte, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Meadow Mesa (“CCMM”) located in North Las Vegas requested Prayer for both his church and their mission, Makers Way, that feeds some 200 individuals and families each week. As you may know,  national statistics show church attendance is down and consequently so are donations.  This has directly affected Mike’s church and Makers Way. At the bottom of this email is an open letter from Mike to Believers and his church members. Check it out and if you are lead to help or give, contact Mike at (702) 596-9103 or give online at:

Sister Kristen and husband for God to intervene and heal their marriage. Additionally, please Pray for their 2 young daughters. 

Miguel’s salvation, a confessed murderer and drug dealer, who lives in Mexico.  

A Las Vegas woman that currently is working in an abortion clinic who is very discouraged with what she is doing and seeking counseling as to what to do.  Pray God opens her eyes and saves her.  Also, regarding the same abortion clinic, Pray God sends Godly women to that clinic daily to be available to minister to the women going in and out of that clinic daily.  

The salvation of Brother David Frear’s parents.  

Brad and  Regena Mitton and their family. Regina has been diagnosed with cancer and Brad has put his landscape business on hold to be with his wife.  Pray God will move in the Mittons lives and that He will be glorified.  

Jeff from Oregon that has cirrhosis of the liver and has been given only five months to live.  He is unsure of his faith and trying to fill in his remaining days traveling.  Please Pray God awakens Jeff’s spirit to His Salvation.  (Like Jeff, we are all terminal…“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬)

Larry who has leukemia.  Pray God would bring Larry and his love ones closer to Him and His Blessed Hope of Glory.  

Lisa Long and her family.  Lisa has had for eye surgeries that have failed and she remains blind. Pray for God to direct her path for His glory. 

Darrell Blalock who has Parkinson’s disease.  Pray for Darrell to have a meaningful and closer walk with the Lord. 

John LaPorte and other Brothers and Sisters who are doing ministry at UNLV.  

A UNLV student named Tyler who is propaganda machine for the enemy.  Pray God will radically save Tyler and that our God will use Tyler to bring many to Christ.  

Remington, another UNLV student, says he is a new catholic… not a Believer, yet, but says he is a seeker. Pray God reveals His Truth, His Salvation to Remington. 

That our families and Brothers and Sisters in Christ will gather together to Pray… Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) “… For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Our unSaved family members and those around us that we have relationships with.  Or, is that you? … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098. 

Family members and those relationships around you who say they are Saved, but their lives don’t show it. And, if that’s happens to be you, the Holy Spirit can change you into a New Creation, Christ in you… but, you must totally surrender everything to Him. (As long as you think you can do it on your own, He’ll let you; and, you will fail.) … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098. 

Our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sins that are drowning us. Lukewarmness, abortion, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, rebellion, covetousness, etc.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

… AND YET, God is Sovereign and has called us to live in such a time as this and to be His Light in the darkness… to give Hope to some. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico in our Prayers. This Sister and her family, in a short time period, have been hit with a more tragedies (persecutions) than most of us have in our entire life time…  the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children. And, recently, her modest home (a shack by any American standard) was burnt to the ground. …Her neighbor’s house caught fire and due to the closeness of her home, it caught fire, too.  Brothers & Sisters, please Pray for God’s Holy touch on Fabiola and her family. 

Geo, a banker, who was deployed by the military to the Mideast. Pray God would keep him safe and that God would bring Geo closer to Him; and, that Geo would share God with all his company and those who come in contact with him. 

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I’ve been told by one Geo’s co-workers, Lorraine Flores, who says she considers Geo a son, that the day Geo was deployed to the Mideast, his girlfriend delivered his new baby. Please Pray Geo would Walk in God’s Light and be a Godly husband and father. And, please Pray for Geo’s family. (Also, please Pray for both Lorraine Flores and her biological son that was deployed the same day as Geo, but to Africa.)

Brother Mark Pedder, a missionary in the Philippines. Please Pray for Mark, Mark’s wife for strength in their trials, tribulations and persecution. 

Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters. Both parents has stayed single all this time of separation… Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning their reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Scott’s salvation and healing. Scott is a commercial real estate broker. 

Our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to God’s Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  Please Pray Frank will be bold in his sharing Christ in his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers.  

AND, let each of us use Frank’s example and share the Love and Salvation of Jesus to our coworkers, employees, family, friends and acquaintances  … Invest in the Eternal!

Women’s Pro-Life ministries in Las Vegas and throughout the world …that they would lead women to the Lord and continue to assist in saving babies’ lives. 

Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by ISIS – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr.

Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith. 

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Please stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Biblical “headship” in families.

All the children. 

That there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico and heads up Touch Baja.)

Touch Baja ministry. Touch Baja is a Christian ministry based in Mexico touching the saved and unsaved lives of the Mexican people focused on real discipleship; truly changing lives through Christ.   From church planting discipleship ministries to half-way houses for the Mexican youth, Touch Baja needs our Prayers,  support and physical involvement.  One person can make a difference… whether an individual or a group, if you are interested in seeking an international missionary opportunity that’s not that far from home, here it is… you are needed and welcome.  Please check out Touch Baja and consider becoming a real partner and getting involved: http://www.touchbaja.com.  (I am personally available to share with you about the ministry… I have 20+ years of stories and history.)

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CCMM Open Letter:

November 22, 2019

Greetings to you, fellow believers and church members Calvary Chapel Meadow Mesa (CCMM).

I wanted to send you this letter to inform you of “possible changes” being considered for the weekly ministry activities of CCMM and the church as a whole.

As pastor of CCMM I endeavor to conduct daily ministry and business activity in a manner that is biblically and economically sound and have done so for 16 years. I was mentored and trained in the ministry method that was used by Pastor Chuck Smith and the original Calvary Chapel established in Costa Mesa, California. As every Calvary Chapel Pastor knows, we trust in the LORD and simply ask the LORD to guide us and help us to adhere to the faith based principle, where GOD guides, GOD provides.

We have been blessed at how the LORD has helped us through these 16 years and as a church we have never taken out one single loan and we will intend to continue this pattern as long as this church continues to exist. It is a beautiful feeling to know that we as a church do not have to experience the pressure or stress of having financial debt of any kind.

At this time, the pastors and the advisory council of CCMM realize that our fellowship doesn’t have the number of people attending that it once did. We are not sure why this is the case but we know that attendance is significantly less. We all are doing a massive amount of prayerful reflection and consideration of why this may be the case. The decline in attendance and resulting decline in financial gifts reduced the funds we have available to maintain ministry activities at their present levels. In view of this fact, we need to consider all areas of ministry and whether adjustments need to be made to reduce expenses. GOD calls us to be faithful and ready to respond or adjust to life’s challenges whether we are in abundance or in want.

At this time we are considering a number of changes that we hope will ride through this decline as we pray and hope for a return to better attendance and financial support.

In order to endure these present challenges, we are considering the following steps:

1- reducing the number of Sunday services to two, one at 9:00 service and another at 11:00.  If we truly believe we can save on utilities or any other expenses by taking this action, we hope that our church family will be willing to make the adjustment with us.

2- reducing the number of paid staff members. This area appears to be one area that will have to be addressed.

The estimated pay period which repeats twice a month is $7,000 and that is covering 9 workers –

Pastor Mike, (I-myself) am the only one of the 9 workers who receives a full salary. All other workers receive what could only be considered a “part time” worker salary.

3- reducing the number of days we conduct the Maker’s Way food distribution to one day or entirely. To take an action of this kind would be heartbreaking, over 200 individuals and families are assisted every week through this ministry and, truly, it is one of the most important works of service that flows from CCMM  but in order to address our challenges, we must be willing to have all things on the table.

It is possible that keeping the doors closed would reduce the amount of electricity that the church uses on a monthly basis.

While considering all possible cost savings areas, we are also looking at revenue producing possibilities such as seeking financial grants to assist in our food distribution ministry as well as a number of other creative means to not only support but grow the work and ministry of CCMM.

In summary:

I and the ministry team of CCMM wanted to send this letter as a means to inform you of possible changes. We don’t want to “spring any surprises” upon any of you. I believe the best way to inform you all of possible changes is to list them one by one.

Our request of you at this time is this:

1)  pray for the strength of CCMM that we can overcome the challenges before us.

2) pray that individuals and organizations will learn of the work and ministry CCMM and believe that our work and ministry is worthy of support.

3) pray for your pastors as well as the ministry team and volunteers that, through the blessing of the LORD, have helped maintain the ministry of CCMM for 16 years.

4) pray for your friends, co-workers and family members and invite them to visit CCMM.

5) pray for inspired ideas that GOD may give you as to how you or we can contribute to the CCMM.

Sincerely,

Michael Welte