When Can A Breastfed Baby Sleep Through the Night?

A post to my beloved children- 

I might forget or might not be around when this information will be useful. Hopefully you will do plenty of reading before having children of your own! Learn from godly others who have gone before you so your journey is a little easier. There will be challenges enough without these fundamentals having to be a big mystery.

So, when can your breastfed baby sleep through the night?

Most babies can sleep through the night by 6 months--it is essentially once they have doubled their birth weight. In earlier days, it was the norm to teach a baby to sleep on their own letting them cry for a couple of nights. It is not an easy thing to do, but it benefits a child greatly to get sound sleep once their bodies are ready for it. Breastfed babies do need to eat more often than formula-fed babies, so make sure your child is growing well and that you are taking the time to ensure your baby is nursing enough during the day before cutting out nighttime feedings. A hectic daytime routine that isn't consistent tends to thwart breastfeeding efforts and can definitely aid in a baby needing to nurse more at night to get the calories they need. At 6 months solid foods should be introduced, so that will help your baby feel fuller longer. This goal to get baby to sleep all night is where scheduling helps build parenting confidence. Remember, there is a difference between keeping a baby alive and proactively parenting/training your child. A routine and knowledge help promote a more peaceful and decisive parenting environment, which will help a lot as your child grows, especially if homeschooling is in store. The longer you wait to teach your baby to sleep all night, the more difficult it will become. Don't be a reactionary parent, take the reigns early on, learn your baby and set him/her up for the greatest success as you carefully guide them into good habits. 

Love,

Mom

Tips for normal sleep for breastfed babies

https://lacted.org/iable-breastfeeding-education-handouts/normal-infant-sleep-breastfeeding/

Keys to establishing good sleep habits for all babies. Good sleeping as infants aids a child's development later on.

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep

More information on how to help babies establish healthy sleeping habits. 

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/healthy-sleep-habits-for-infants-and-toddlers

What Do People Need Most During a Global Pandemic?

I can be wordy, so will keep this one short-ish. 

People need the Lord more than anything during a global pandemic. They need to be in a right relationship with God, and they need to be worshipping together with God's people in person. 

The lost cannot understand this, and we shouldn't expect them to. There is a supernatural reality when someone belongs to God. The Lord didn't miss how things would be during a global pandemic when He told us how important it is for us to fellowship regularly with other believers and come together to worship Him. 

It is not selfish to attend church. This COVID-19 virus spreads no matter how much we wash our hands or how many masks are worn. It is a virus. The number of people who have it isn't the issue, it is the severity of the virus, and that does not warrant keeping God's people from one another.  If this were the bubonic plague, we'd be having a different discussion, but COVID-19 is not the plague. 

People will disagree with this, but many are suffering mentally because of the response to this virus. Suicides are up, depression is up, and we are not helping many people by wrongly cutting ourselves off from other people in order to 'protect' them. Of course if a person is elderly or compromised and WANTS to avoid people, that is a completely different story. That is their choice and it should be respected. I'm referring to the high and mighty attitude of people who think their way of handling this is superior to all others. There are many facets to this virus and not everyone has a job or family to be with. We can't act as though those variables do not make a huge difference in how we're choosing to live right now.

Christians, keep in prayer. The Rapture may be near, but if not, we must stand for truth and know we'll be misunderstood. It is God's battle to fight but we must be on our knees. 

I'm Torn Between Following Christ and Siding With My Family....

Dear Friend,

If you relate to the title of this post, please realize you are in a serious position that requires sober attention. 

With what is going on in America right now, where the lines of following evil or going with God have been clearly drawn, there is no place worse to be than 'the middle'. My guess is that you are feeling torn, disquieted, and like you don't "fit" anywhere.  

The Scriptures teach that we are either FOR Christ, or we are His ENEMY. There is no middle of the road. In other words, a person cannot have one foot in Christ and one in the world.  

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16

For many, if their family is full of unbelievers, they struggle to fully commit to Jesus Christ. It causes tension when they draw near to God. What should bring peace instead brings more discord. Why is this when God promises to give us peace?

It stems from our lack of commitment to God and our lack of trust in what He has promised. If we do not regularly have fellowship with other Christians, we aren't getting the support we need. We cannot survive well on our own, this is one reason it is dangerous for Christians to forsake assembling with other believers. What God instructs us to do is for our own good. 

When we are told to sin by man, we are to obey God first. If a husband tried to force his wife to have an abortion, it would be wrong for her to obey him. If a husband says a wife cannot attend church, she should not obey him but should seek to provide all the husband will need while she is gone.  Her lovingly serving her husband and having an attitude of respecting him, because of God's command for her to, should turn his heart toward her and ultimately toward God. She cannot be brash or brazen toward him or judge him for not going to church with her. That would not be proper or helpful at all. If the husband really opposes his wife attending church, she should try to find a compromise like going every other week. 

To the lukewarm Christian I remind you of this truth from God: 

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it." Matthew 7:13

The forces of darkness are gathering around us in America. Freedom is being choked out and we see people turning against one another over ludicrous lies and distortions. Christians see it, but the lost do not. There is perfect peace to be found in Christ even during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust and obey the Lord! ♥ 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Is 26:3

Living to Please God

Pastor Darrin expounds on the important truths from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. 

These verses can help us evaluate if we are walking in genuine faith or if we have created our own rules for what it means to be a Christian. If we want to experience the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit, we have to be right with God. To be right with God there is a dying to our self and a living for Him. This isn't what saves us from eternal damnation in Hell, but it is the proof that we are actually born-again. We no longer live for ourselves, but for God's glory. 

Living to Please God

How Can I Have Peace?

One of the best aspects of being in a saving relationship with God, through Christ, is the incredible peace He gives. It is not the peace that the world gives. It isn't temporary or based on circumstances, rather it is a deep, calm trust that resonates from within. It is not something of human origin. It cannot be conjured up or desired, and then realized. It is a peace that passes understanding. 

Whose understanding?                         

Our human understanding. 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7

Are you tired or working hard to try to feel good? Striving after something you simply cannot get your hands around? Feeling inadequate and then overcompensating by praising yourself and your own efforts to the point of embarrassing yourself, or feeling inadequate and expecting others to fill you up but they always fall short? Is it 'never enough' for you, in your own mind? Is there a nagging feeling deep inside that you are continually having to push to show others you ARE good enough, or you ARE somehow superior to them? 

This is often evidence of deep seated hurt, from the formative years or perhaps due to a single event. There is sometimes shame associated with it if abuse was part of the equation, and the fallout of that abuse was never dealt with properly. But sometimes we've managed to look at life and our place in it completely opposite of how God wants us to be looking at it, and that causes continual stress and anxiety. We want to be better, be the best, be good enough....for a standard that we set and move the goal posts on at random.

When Christ says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." That rest is DEEP. It is WIDE. It is ALL ENCOMPASSING. It takes away the bone tiredness and self-condemnation. In short, it sets the prisoner, FREE.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

I will never forget the first time I heard that God loved me. And then when I learned that Jesus Christ had paid for my sins, ONCE and for ALL. I didn't have to work, couldn't work, enough. I was so tired of running, from something---to something...

There is freedom in a saving born-again relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing else--not exercise, meditation, religion, friendship, philanthropy, community service, a better job, a different job, education....NOTHING compares with what God offers us through Jesus Christ. Whatever we 'give up' as a result of living for God pales in comparison to what we gain. I can promise you that. 

Pfizer-Can They Be Trusted? A USA Relevant Story

Six days after a highly questionable US Presidential election, Pfizer announces their very successful COVID vaccine. 

It is nothing short of a terrific coincidence that immediately following the US media perpetrating one of the worst social control operations in its history during the months leading up to the election, Pfizer makes this announcement. Had this come out just one week ago, coupled with more correct polling projections, the fear mongering related to COVID would have had far less impact. The brainwashing accomplished by mainstream media is astounding, and it makes me think more and more of what the days leading up to the return of Christ will look like. People are easily led astray and controlled; this pandemic has given solid data to those who want to control the masses. Those who think good is bad and bad is good. 

Take note as other social unrest suddenly dies down, not just the COVID rhetoric. It will not be because of their recent victory. Remember how God has historically used the wicked to bring His judgment, then would judge the wicked for their treacherous acts? We serve a mighty God who helps His children avoid deception. We can take heart in that as we continue to try to share Christ with the lost. I also think that it is time to take honest inventory of whether we are casting our pearls before swine. We know many will not go to Heaven when they die, they will go to Hell, having trusted in their good works, false religion, or denying God and Christ entirely. May God give us discernment on where we should focus our witnessing.  

From the Bible:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Col 2:8

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 Jn 4:1

And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false. 2 Thess 2:10-11

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Cor 11:13-15

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16: 17-18

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matt 7:21-23

A Short Post on Bitterness: For the Person Who Knows Plenty

Many can quote the pithy saying that bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping another person dies. Sadly, this does not necessarily illumine the quoter to seeing their own bitterness. 

Bitterness can keep us from rightly seeing a situation because of our unforgiveness and past hurts. It can make us justify unwise choices. 

Eventually, it can cause us to lose the very thing we may want most: respect, admiration, and friends. 

We may know we have a pride issue, but with bitterness as part of the equation, we tend to dig our heels in harder on why we will NOT change our perspective, and that pressure causes the resentment we hold to seep out so that everyone (but us) can see it. Strongholds of bitterness and resentment are dangerous for Christians. If you suspect you have this problem, ask God to show you and give you the strength to deal with the pain that got you to where you are, properly, and to restore you to wholeness!

The font for this post is Quicksand. Chosen on purpose...

Why Are Christians Praying for the Remnant?

Have you been confused about someone mentioning they are praying for God to protect His remnant, or 'the' remnant? 

What is 'the remnant'?

The remnant are the faithful of God who are forgiven of their sins because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We are saved from eternal damnation and are not  enslaved to sin, solely because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.  True believers are people whose lives bear the fruit the Scriptures talk about, this fruit is the evidence which shows people who have died to themselves and now live for God.  The remnant is not made up of people who give lip service to God but live how they want; people who use God's name, possibly attend church and cry out to Him for help but who live like they want; or people whose religion changes with the times. 

Noah's family was THE remnant in his day (their salvation was trusting in God for the promise of the Messiah to come). 

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time." Genesis 7:1

 

Many places in Scripture mention the remnant. This should give all people who claim to be Christians pause, realizing there is a distinct group of people God refers to as the remnant. It is not a large group of people...think of a carpet and then a remnant of a carpet....

God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:7

For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. Isaiah 10:22

In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. Romans 11:5

In the days we're living in, here in America amidst a Presidential election, the ideologies of the Democratic party are strongly in opposition what the Bible teaches. If what they want to do happens, it is a time that Christians know will bring great misery on our nation and on us as believers. 

Here are some of the reasons why Christians need God to protect us and our children:

• Eliminating school choice will hurt Christians. The ideologies and many specific teachings in public schools are opposed to the Bible.
• The majority of Christians disagree with spending tons of money on something we don't believe is valid scientifically (climate change). This will take resources needed for other things that are more important.
• Eliminating religious liberty will impact Christian schools by forcing them to accept sin such as allowing pregnant students to stay in school or hiring homosexuals. 
• Democrats always want to expand abortion rights and have taxpayers fund them.
• They want to expand the Supreme Court which will destroy our judicial branch, making everything political. This moves us closer and closer to communism. 
• Eliminating our American sovereignty puts us under nations that hate God. People are more free, specifically women, in America because of our Christian ideals.
• Wealth redistribution will make everyone poor except the elite (read up on communism and socialism--Animal Farm by George Orwell is an easy start).
• They want open borders which causes a host of problems socially and economically.
• They want to make guns illegal and eliminate gas powered cars. Freedom dwindles...people are easier to control.
• They want to submit our American sovereignty to the UN.
• They are not a friend to Israel which God warns about in His word. If we are against Israel as a nation, God is against us.
• Democrats want to empower children over their parents and criminalize counseling against gender change.

When you know people who have claimed to be Christians, but who do NOT vote to protect the unborn, do NOT vote for the party that wants to align with Israel, and do NOT vote in support of parents being those to make decisions for their own family, you sadly know people who are likely not actually Christians. Or you know Christians who have compromised to the point of great concern. Let God be true and every man a liar (Rom 3:4). The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God (1 Cor 3:19)--vote with the values we know are God's based on His word. 

See 1 Cor 6:9-11; Prov 6:17; Is 44:6-26; Gen 12:3; Num 24:9

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Liberal Women Among the Most Unhappy in America

If I were to hazard a guess as to the most unhappy, stressed, and unfulfilled women in America, it is those women who have thwarted God's design for them. Mind you, some of these characterizations happen among women I wouldn't classify as 'liberal' overall, but they are in segments, which still leads to negative consequences.

Why do I write this? It isn't to be mean-spirited, it is with the hope someone will see themselves herein and realize there is another path to take. A road less traveled but which affords greater peace and contentment than the worldly one. At the bottom I've included links that support my view that women are less happy today than they have been prior to all of these liberal advances. My reasons for why this is the case are below. The articles give their reasons. 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn 16:33

With that, I give you my thoughts on liberated women. 

The Situation

Liberal women:

They are independent in spirit, often not giving credence to modesty in dress or demeanor. They do what they want, when they want. The latter is the main point which transcends the age of the liberal woman.

These women put career above family duties. The best of their time and energy is focused outside of the home.

Often, childbearing is not their number one desire, it is work and making as much money as possible. They have kids to check a box, but their heart is not nearly as close to home as it could be. This is not referring to if they work, but their priorities and ideological views. 

Liberal women commit sexual sin before marriage, so what would normally compel a man to marry has been taken off the table. He gets what is natural for him to want without any commitment. These women wrongly equate sex drives of men and women, denying God's design for men. They think it preposterous to recognize that it is natural and right for the sexual desire to be a part of why people should marry. These women think that marriage can, and often should, be delayed. (Evidence of this, particularly during this global pandemic, is  that they say it is acceptable to put off marriage until times and restrictions are better...The Bible warns about committing fornication, which is very likely to happen if marriage is delayed. Sexual sin is a BIG deal to God. It is deplorable how many so-called believers act like it would be better to just have sex and wait until a big wedding can be had)...God does not think that way at all. 

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. Rev 3:15

God's ways bring blessings. 

It is easier for men not to lead and not take on the responsibility of a family if a woman is letting them get the milk for free, without buying the cow. Leading a family takes hard work and grit, and we've successfully hampered this drive in men as women have sent the message that they don't need or want that protection. The very women who really want to get married and have kids have helped usher in this cultural shift. God has put the responsibility to lead on a man's shoulders, and a woman cuts his legs out from under him if she enables him to shirk this duty. She must be willing to follow to encourage him.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Eph 5:22-24

We know, however, that liberal women reject God's order of a man leading his family while she willingly follows his lead. Women who are sickened at the thought of their husband having the role of making final decisions, and bearing the responsibility for those decisions, are liberal women. 

Often these women lie to create a caricature of what they want their life to be, and it is easy to catch them in these if they've failed to give their husband the script on a particular issue. God holds husbands/fathers responsible for how their family is managed, irrespective of people's opinion on it.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you. Gen 3:16

The Bible says that women want to rule over our husbands, and if we don't respect them, which financial disparities can cause, we will shift the safe dynamic God has outlined. It is much easier to maintain the dynamic God has given for the family if the wife is a keeper at home and if her husband provides. It is the world's wisdom which says the roles of men and women are interchangeable. This denies Creation and God's word, and we see it in the stressed, anxious lives of women who are trying to be the man of their house. Again, dual income families can function as God says, but it is more challenging and puts more stress on the wife, and thus, the family. Her important work requires her full time effort and time, so something must fall off the table if she is also trying to be the provider. (I do know women who prefer to not work but their husbands do not recognize the value they would be able to bring as full time homemakers unfortunately, and of course this is not referring to men who want to work and cannot. Hopefully people reading this realize this is directed to people choosing lifestyles that lock them in to a way of life that rejects God's word.)

Sadly, and with a warning I say this-- many of these women who hate the things of God will use His name to sound like they love Him. But the Bible is clear that if you love God, you will do what He commands. We are without excuse if we do not know what He commands. Everyone has a Bible or has access to one in America. 

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 Jn 5:3

For the record, supporting the killing of an unborn baby is not loving God, obeying God, or representative of God. Don't use His name like you belong to Him if you support abortion, which if you vote Democrat in America, you do. That is what politicization of issues does--one camp is against killing the unborn and one camp strives to expand abortion rights--every term. To pretend otherwise is just a deceiving of oneself. Christians need to stand for what God stands for, all the time.

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 

Prov 6:16-19

After writing this I decided to search online for anything about unhappy women in America, which I had not done prior to writing.

Religious Conservatives Happiest Wives in America 2019

Here is what I found from this secular source:

Psychology Today 2011

Women's Happiness Scores VOX 2019

God's Promises to His People During Hard Times

On a day when what aligns more with God's standards could bring mayhem due to the ungodly, and on a day where we may see God's judgment unfold more on our nation, my hope turns to His Word. The wisdom of man is foolishness to God. That is all I can think of when the ridiculous justifications of the lost come to my mind concerning this election. The unborn humans need our protection, if we are to act as civilized people. 

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—  my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.

1 Chronicles 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength;  seek his presence continually!

Psalm 32:7-8 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Exodus 33:14 My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Our Adult Children Are Still Watching Us

Just as too many parents stop actively parenting when their kids enter high school (or even middle school), too many parents stop remembering their adult children are still watching their example. 

We always watch those on the trail of life who are ahead of us.

 Are they keeping the faith? 

Are they living lives of integrity (doing the right thing even when no one is watching)? 

Are they ordering their life the way God has said to in the Bible? 

It is a tragic happening when parents get their children raised and then decide to 'let their hair down'. They don't attend church regularly. They start spending their money frivolously. They have an affair or decide abortion and gender erasing are no longer important when they go to the polls. 

May I remind us all that Democrats are those who pushed having a full term baby killed by sucking out its living brain out, so it was dead in order to deliver it dead rather than alive (since killing it born alive would not have been approved...)? Many Democrats are in favor of killing babies born alive  up to one year of life since some problems don't show up until then. I recall when I was newly married sending photographs to everyone on my email list before an election to help people remember what 'hands that shed innocent blood' means. God HATES it.. He abhors killing innocent people. You know what He doesn't abhor? Lots of things people want to pretend are more important than unborn human beings....

DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, HE REAPS.

So older parents, remember your adult kids need to see you living to a ripe old age and still walking with God. They need to see you sacrifice for the kingdom and serve. They need to see you TRUST God in the hard times that come with aging. If you end up widowed, they need to see you abstain from fornication if you enter into a new relationship. 

THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWERS FADE, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER. 

In closing, be careful who your friends are as you age. Just because you've known someone a long time isn't a reason to stay close to them if they have turned from God. Your kids will see who you really are by who you consider your closest confidants, so choose people who love the Lord and genuine truth. Bad company still corrupts good morals. ♥

Unbelievable Peace for True Believers

This weekend was a refreshment to my soul, as I'm sure it was for other true followers of Jesus Christ. That isn't a statement of bragging, but of the blessed reality for those who worship and follow God according to His Word, the Bible. 

Too often, we as believers get side-tracked worrying endlessly about the state of the world and our unsaved loved ones, but if we have done all we can to be a clear witness for Jesus Christ and His truth, we need to just give our concerns to God. Everyone has access to the Bible, Bible teaching, and online church services if they do not want to attend church in person, or cannot. We believers simply cannot control what other people do, and we SHOULD NOT LET THE BAD CHOICES OF OTHERS STEAL OUR JOY. 

As one of my very dear friends recently reminded me when we were discussing the lost loved ones in our lives: it is not my battle to fight. The battle is the Lord's. My job is to pray and do what I can, but realize that even my shortcomings are not an excuse for someone to reject God.

Those who are in false religions, or atheists, do not enjoy the peace and joy that true followers of Christ enjoy. We all make our choices. Likewise, when life gets hard, it is only genuine followers of God who have that 'peace that passes all understanding'. The promises of God are not true for those who have deceived themselves in to thinking they are reconciled to God. 

Believers--we must stand alongside each other in faith and truth, knowing that God is on OUR side. This world and evil world forces are passing away, but take heart, God has overcome the world!!

**The sermons from Nov 1, Temple Baptist Church of Fredericksburg, VA are excellent. www.abouttbc.org for the YouTube Channel.**