John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Psalms 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Psalms 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (NKJV)

Genesis 6:11-13 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

The Word, the One who created all things and who was with God in the beginning, stopped Paul on the road to Damascus, saying: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Paul answered: “Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord answered: "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting." (See: Acts 22:7-8) Believers must always remember Jesus Christ is the Living Word: New creation comes through him alone. He makes all things new and brings light out of darkness. No other idea, philosophy, or manmade god makes all things new. IN CHRIST we become new creatures because He spoke the Father's plan into being from the foundation of the Earth. This is grace: wondrous grace and undeserved mercy. Because of Christ's perfect creative work, mere humans will live eternally, baptized into God's family by the Holy Spirit through Christ's work at the cross. Consequently, we are eternally made one with Christ, joint heirs of all that God has prepared for those who love and serve him. We will never be alone or without hope because He keeps his word and fulfills his promise that whosoever believes in him will not perish but inherit life eternal. Without him we are nothing: IN HIM we win the victory, both now and in eternity where we will live forevermore.

Jesus came to baptize us into the living Spirit of God. Because we are inundated with the Spirit, we are alive forever. We will not die. Our shadow of death is Jesus on the cross. IN HIM we died, but IN HIM we are alive! Our spirits will not face corruption. As God is an eternal spirit, so are we IN CHRIST. Our flesh is corruptible, but our spirit is not. Jesus said to the rich young man, "Don't call me good." This is confusing to us because we know Jesus was sinless, therefore good; but He said, "Don't call me good, for only God is good." Otherwise, don't call me incorruptible without the consequences of sin, for only God is incorruptible. Jesus was in the flesh, and his flesh was vulnerable to corruption and death. However, God is THE ETERNAL SPIRIT; He will not die; He IS KING ETERNAL, EVERLASTING, WITHOUT BEGINNING OR ENDING, ALPHA AND OMEGA. He is Lord of all and for all time!

Now the living Word, Jesus, lived from the beginning of creation, the beginning of time as we know it. God the Father spoke the world into existence through THE WORD, Jesus Christ, the third person of the trinity. He authorized man, made in his own image, to occupy and to control this new creation. God considered the world good as He looked upon his handiwork. However, the devil, through the selfish will and disobedience of mankind, brought sin and death into the world. Man's volitional decision to question God's will and to reject it brought contamination to that which was good, very good. Even today, the world groans under the burden of sin. Violence inhabits the land: Creatures devour creatures, men wantonly destroy themselves and each other; death reigns in the natural everywhere we look. Just as it was so long ago: The earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. At that time, God chose to destroy the earth with a flood, but He quickly saw that sin dwelt in the hearts of men continuously, and in his grace and mercy, He declared never again to destroy the world by flood.

God had a plan: an unbelievable over-riding gift, prepared for those who would reject his best: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, who would come as a babe in a manger. Heaven and nature would sing, "Glory to God in the highest and peace good will toward men." Through Christ's willing sacrifice on the cross, sin and death would face defeat; men and women would no longer be bound in chains, prisoners to their own sins and the sins of others. Now, we are free in Christ, free indeed! And as we stand fast in our freedom, singing praises to God and overcoming through Christ our Lord, we shall live and never die. We are alive in Christ, whom to know is life eternal. A new heaven and a new earth awaits us: we are joint heirs with Jesus, children of the King! PRAISE GOD FOREVER AND EVER!

(Breakfast has been delayed by a few little problems in the kitchen, but here it is, fresh off the grill: enjoy! Thanks for the encouragement from those of you who expressed your hunger! We are in John now and going forth by faith. Wahoo! That was from Mom, of course, but as some of you know, she is an assistant chef with soul and takes continued liberty in adding little garnishes or an extra helping of vegetables as the Spirit leads. Our birth children often say, "I can sometimes tell when it is Mom "talking" for Dad. One friend offered: "Instead of a ghost writer, Dad has a Holy Ghost writer." We are one in the spirit and have been for a long time: God is Good, and He never fails!)