Spiritual DNA

My wife usually limits her TV viewing to home decorating shows and travel shows. But there is one "mystery" program she enjoys and that is CSI (Crime Scene Investigators). If you have ever watched the program you know that one of the most incriminating pieces of evidence the characters use against the perpetrators is DNA (de-ox-y-ri-bo-nucle-ic acid). All living things are dependent upon it. DNA is the fundamental building block of all living things. It passes genetic information from one generation to the next by replicating itself exactly every time a cell divides.

The reason it is so incriminating and almost universally accepted in courts of law as evidence is the DNA molecule is among the most conservative structures on earth in resisting any form of change in the replication of itself. DNA code controls every cell of every living organism and thus controls the nature of all living things on earth. DNA exercises its control in two ways:
1. It controls genetics, ensuring all living things reproduce after their kind.
2. It determines the kinds of proteins produced by each cell, thus determining the form and function of every cell of every organism on earth.

In 2 Peter 1:4 we read, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (The emphasis is mine).

As believers we become partakers of the divine nature or the spiritual DNA. Through regeneration God has imparted to us His own nature which identifies us with Him. Jesus made this possible via His virgin birth, sinless life and vicarious atonement on the cross. When we are united with Christ, we carry with us the literal nature of God. Our lives are hid in Christ and we are complete in Him.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

Spiritual DNA is proof solid that we belong to Christ and are heirs with Him.

Beloved, are you saved? Have you received Christ as your Redeemer and made God your heavenly Father?

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

JOY TO THE WORLD

We have laughed for years over the bus kid who came to our church one Sunday during the Christmas season and sang "Jeremiah was a bull frog...Joy to the World!" He was so sincere, but he had no clue as to what he was singing.

Sir Isaac Watts wrote the beloved hymn that we sing at Christmas time, "Joy to the World." It is one of the most revered and used carols of Christmas even though it was never intended to be such. In fact, the lyrics speak of the Second Coming of Christ not the first advent. We still love it and include it into our Christmas celebration.



From our family to yours, we wish you love, joy and peace. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

On December 15, 2007, Elisabeth Katherina Smith went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.


(Psa 23) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. {2} He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {3} He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. {6} Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Elisabeth Smith was a believer:
* She believed the Bible is the Word of God
* She believed that she was a sinner in need of a Saviour.
* She believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins, was buried and on the third day rose again, victorious of death, hell and the grave.
* She believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven, and at a specific moment in time, she put her trust in Christ to save her.

How do I know this?
* She never kept it a secret what she believed.
* She did more than talk about it, she lived it.
> She was disgusted by the wickedness of the world.
> She didn’t just go to church, she enjoyed church
> There was never a time she did not say to me, “Good Preachin’”

It was my privilege to be her pastor. It was a joy to know her as a sister in Christ.

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
(Acts 17:26-31 KJV)

I have returned from Germany, Hungary and Romania. What an experience! We were so privileged to preach four times on the trip and see one couple surrender to go as missionaries to Turkey from the Biserica Baptista Independenta Church in Satu Mare, Romania (Pastor Stephan Berci), a couple added to the Freie Baptisten Gemeinde in Oberpfraundorf, German (Pastor Keith Klaus), and a man entertaining the military troups in Regensburg, Germany, Mark Acasio (who is the official mascot for the Oakland Raiders "Gorilla Rilla") come to Jesus Christ. God is so wonderful. We are so blessed to be able to service a God like Him.

But with all the blessings and excitement of travel and ministering in foreign lands, I am so glad to be back home with both my family and my church. There is no place like home.


Preaching at the Freie Baptisten Gemeinde


"Gorilla Rilla" Mark Acasio
Mascot for the Oakland Raiders

MISSIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE

Today I am writing from Regensburg, Germany. Brother John O'Malley and I are staying with the Klaus family, missionaries both to the U.S. service men and the national German people. God has given them a tremendous work here. I am so impressed with the workings of the Lord amoung these people.

Tomorrow we leave early to fly to Hungary and then take a train ride (six hours) into Romania. We will be interviewing missionary candidates among the students in the missions school there. One candidate in particular is Ramona. She is planning to go to Lebannon and work with Moslem women. I am excite to speak to the students in the school and preach in their chapel service.

We serve a BIG God Who can reach across oceans and cultures to redeem souls. Praise God.