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“. . . And in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:6). Godly perseverance is a sure evidence of true salvation. Commentator Michael Green has this to say about the believer who displays biblical perseverance: “The mature Christian does not give up. His Christianity is like the steady burning of a star rather than the ephemeral brilliance (and speedy eclipse) of a meteor.” The Greek word translated “perseverance” in today’s verse (hupomone) refers to consistent endurance in righteousness and faithfulness in resisting temptation. The precise meaning for hupomone is hard to pinpoint. There is no exact...

“And in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance . . .” (2 Peter 1:6). Personal self-control demonstrates the certainty of your salvation. In Peter’s day, the word translated “self-control” was used to describe athletes. The successful ones abstained from sexual activity and an unhealthy diet for the sake of disciplined training exercises. You practice personal self-control when you control your desires and don’t allow them to control you. Let me share some practical tips that have helped me with self-control. 1. Start small. For example, begin by cleaning your bedroom or office, then extend that discipline to the...

After receiving a vivid vision of the Rapture, a Christian college student records an urgent audio cassette message describing end time events and sharing the Gospel with his unbelieving family. Director: Fred Carpenter Cast: A.J. Merrill, Leigh Lombardi, John Shannon

“. . . in your moral excellence, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). Moral excellence cannot develop in an intellectual vacuum. It’s a frightening thing to realize the extent to which our culture downplays knowledge in favor of emotions. These days people are more likely to ask, “How will it make me feel?” instead of, “Is it true?” Sadly, the church has bought into the spirit of the age. Many people go to church, not to learn the truths of God’s Word, but to get an emotional high. The focus of theological discussion also reflects the contemporary hostility to knowledge. To a...

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence” (2 Peter 1:5). God’s provision does not preclude our responsibility. There are some who believe that since God has provided everything needed for the Christian life, believers should expect Him to do everything for them. Their motto is, “Let go and let God!” If Peter had a motto for the Christian life, it would have been more along the lines of the popular World War II song, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Peter knew the Christian life is a struggle in which believers...

Three factory workers make their routine stop at a diner late one night. Just before closing, a man comes in and takes a seat at the counter. One of the workers, an antagonist named Larry, tries to strike up a conversation with the man but he doesn't respond. Disturbed by this, Larry persists and finds out the man is a Christian. What follows is an intense drama about the most important issue in life...and eternity. Writer-Producer-Director: Dave Christiano Cast: Brad Heller, Josh Gaffga, Hugh McLean, Tim Ross

“Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1:12). Remembering where you’ve been is the key to getting where you want to go. The summer of 1980 was a turning point in my ministry. After nearly a dozen years as pastor of Grace Community Church, I took a three-month sabbatical. In my heart I wasn’t sure if I would come back. I felt I had taught my congregation all I knew, and I feared boring them...

A woman is writing anti-God editorials for her local newspaper. One day a mysterious visitor comes to her office with a message from the Lord. He tells her that on September 19th at 6:05pm she is going to die. Is this a hoax? Or the truth? She has eight days left...and the suspense begins! Writer-Director: Rich Christiano Cast: Karen Jo Briere, Art Oden, Leslie Basham, Jim Ostrander, Frank Rogers

“Not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. Do not marvel, brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:12-13). Christians are rejected by the world but accepted by God. An ancient proverb states that you can judge a man’s character by who his enemies are. That is also true in the spiritual realm. The world loves its own, but since Christ chose believers out of the world, the world hates them (John 15:19). That this is...

Is this yet another sign that we are entering a time of increased geological instability for the state of California? For years, I have warned that it is just a matter of time before “the Big One” arrives, and the clock is ticking. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of fish have been dying and washing up on shore in northern California…

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world” (1 John 4:1-3). God’s children are able to discern false doctrine. A sure...

Father, I pray you protect Donald Trump and JD Vance. I pray Your hedge of protection around them, their families and their campaigns. I pray Father that You reveal to the world the hidden things of darkness concerning the attempted assassination. I pray Father that any involvement of our government or any other government be fully exposed. Bring to light for others to witness the evil within our government and political foes. I pray Father that You anoint these two and guide them through these dark days. I know Your return is near and time is short. I pray Father...

A college philosophy club meeting filled with atheists humiliate a new believer as he tries to prove to them the existence of God. As a result, a Christian out of fellowship with the Lord seeks revenge. He comes across a paper written 50 years ago regarding a theory a man had about when the world might end. With the paper in hand, he sets up a showdown with the club for their next meeting! Writer-Director: Rich Christiano Cast: David White, Brad Heller, Lance Zitron, Kevin Downes DVD for END OF THE HARVEST is available at ChristianMovies.com. The Christiano Brothers (Dave...

“By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13). Experiencing the ministry of the Holy Spirit is evidence of genuine saving faith. In John 14:26, Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “the Helper.” One of the most important ways He helps us is by assuring us that we belong to God. Several works of the Holy Spirit, if present in our lives, give evidence of the genuineness of our salvation. In 1 Corinthians 12:3 Paul writes, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by...

“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22). The answers to believers’ prayers bring assurance of salvation. Another reliable way to know if you are a Christian is if God answers your prayers. The apostle John gives us the infallible reasoning for this statement. First, you can know your prayers will be answered if you keep His commandments (1 John 3:22). And second, John says the only way you can obey God’s commandments is if you belong to Him (v. 24). Therefore,...

Bishop Aaron X. Marble is the Senior Pastor or Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, who we recently covered after he did damage control of Biden’s distress debate. In last week’s sermon, following the assassination attempt on President Trump’s life, Marbe came out swinging, blaming Republicans for the escalation of political violence, suggesting Trump brought this attack on himself, and offering that he’ll condemn the attempted murder when his antagonizers condemn January 6. “I don’t want to be callous, I don’t want to be hard-hearted, but violence begets violence and we have seen during the campaign trail for this election and...

“The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10). Loving other Christians gives assurance to your own faith. Loving fellow Christians is instinctive for genuine believers. Paul told the Thessalonians, “Now as to the love of the brethren . . . you yourselves are taught by God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9). He further encouraged them to “excel still more” in love (v. 10) because there is always room for believers to love one another more completely. Nevertheless, if we are truly saved we will...

During the Sunday morning service at Family Worship Center, Pastor Donnie Swaggart addresses the Donald Trump assassination attempt.

“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9). A decreasing pattern of sin in a believer’s life means his faith is genuine. A sinful life pattern is incompatible with salvation. If you could continue in the same sinful pattern after being saved from sin, that would mean salvation is ineffective. Therefore, 1 John 3 deals with the saving work of Christ and reveals just how effective it is. Verse 5 says Christ “appeared in order to take away sins.” If...

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). True Christians long for the return of their King. The words of the old hymn, “This world is not my home,” express the attitude of every true child of God. True Christians have a hope in their heart, a hope focused on the...