By Mike Peek

Jacob served Laban 14 years for his two daughters Leah and Rachel; 7 years each. Then Jacob served Laban another 6 years after that for a total of 20 years. Rachel is the one Jacob loved. Jacob agreed to work 7 years to receive Rachel as his wife, but when the time was completed Laban gave to him his oldest daughter Leah as his wife. This angered Jacob, but he agreed to work another 7 years to receive the one he loved, Rachel as his wife. Why would the Lord allow Laban to treat Jacob this way? After all doesn't the scripture say that the Lord loved Jacob? "Just as it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Rom.9.13). If Laban had given Jacob Rachel first he would have been satisfied and never taken Leah as his wife. Leah's fourth son was Judah through whom the seed that blessed the world would come. Jesus Christ the Lord. Genesis 29, 30, 31

I am a Calvinist, allow me to explain what that does not mean, and also what it does mean. That does not mean that I follow a man named John Calvin. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ alone. John Calvin is a Christian theologian who lived and wrote in Geneva, Switzerland during the reformational period of the Christian church of the 16th century. Geneva, Switzerland became the center of the reformation, it was a place that men could live free from the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church. Calvinism is the Christian theology that arose during the reformational period of the Christian church. Later other theologies would arise as well, therefore, to distinguish between them names were attached to these varying theologies. Calvinism was never called such during John Calvin's life time. Calvinism is the belief that God is sovereign over all created things. Men are created by God, therefore, God is sovereign over the salvation of sinful man. An English Christ...

Are Christians under the law? And if not, then what did Christ mean in Matthew 5.17-19? "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." He then goes on to say, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mat.5.20). The scribes and Pharisees get a bad rap in Christian circles today, the reason Jesus said this was not because they were exceptionally bad men, but because they were by man's standard very good men. It is as though Jesus was s...

Are you a protestant by conviction or convenience? If you believe that Roman Catholics are Christian too then it is by convenience rather than conviction that you are a protestant. I dearly love Roman Catholics but hate Catholicism. How can I say that I love Roman Catholics but hate Catholicism? It is because I love Roman Catholics that I hate Catholicism. Catholicism keeps Roman Catholics from being justified in the sight of God. Catholicism teaches that salvation comes through baptism, through the keeping of commandments (CCC 2068), through confession to a priest followed by penance, and through sacraments all of which must be done in the Catholic church. The bible in complete contrast to this teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (you can't keep the commandments). That we are justified by God (not a priest) as a gift (not baptism) by His grace (not penance) through faith (not sacraments) in Jesus alone (not the church). (see Romans.3.23-26...

Nomianism is a fancy theological term that means with law. Nomianism is the belief that Jesus is Lord, but His sacrifice on the cross alone is not a sufficient enough payment for your sins. Roman Catholicism is such a religion. The reformers knew that this was not biblical Christianity so the protestant reformation happened. Scripture alone would once again be the authority of God among believers. Salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus alone, and is for the glory of God alone. Out of the protestant reformation something else would then arise; it is the religion of Antinomianism. Antinomianism is a theological term that means without law. Antinomianism is the belief that Jesus sacrifice on the cross is payment in full for your sins, but that you do not need to capitulate to Him as Lord. Neither Nomianism nor Antinomianism are biblical Christianity. The attached picture is allegorically a Christian. Not the man seen on the carriage, but the entire...

St. Peter's Basilica architectural design is a combination Dome and Square. The word Basilica means a Roman building used for public administration. This buildings use was designed for the administration of the Roman Catholic Church, to house its high officials and to display its prestige. There is much history with regards to the building of this Basilica and the Protestant Reformation. "Michelangelo, who served as main architect for a while, designed the dome, and Bernini designed the great St. Peter's Square." (2) "The square is outlined by a monumental colonnade by Bernini", this is said to represent open arms. (2) "The great double dome is made of brick and is 42.3 meters in interior diameter (almost as large as the Pantheon), rising to 120 meters above the floor." (2) The word Basilica means a Roman building used for public administration. The Basilica was built for the purpose of housing the Popes, past and present. Constructio...

The Gospel is about the righteousness of God. God is righteous, therefore in order to come into His kingdom you must be righteous in the sight of God. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God." (1Cor.6.9). But here is the problem; the Bible says, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” (Rom.3.10-12). If you believe that you are righteous, if you think that you are good by your own merit, God has given His holy law for the purpose of bringing the knowledge of sin. If you have ever told a lie even once, you are a liar. If you have ever stolen anything, you are a thief. If you have ever taken the name of the Lord your God in vain, that is using the name of your creator irreverently, you are a blasphemer. (Exodus.20) Jesus said; "You have heard that th...

I have heard it said often; "The question is, how much can you get wrong and still be a Christian?"  That seems like a logical question, because we all get something wrong.  I'll be the first to admit that I am wrong about a GREAT many things.  Thanks be to God my trust is not in myself, but solely in the only One who is right, Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God. Protestants say Catholics are not saved and Catholics say Protestants are not saved.   Even within Protestantism there is much yammering. I cannot look at social media without seeing someone proclaim someone else as being hell bond. It seems that if you don't meet up to the expectations of someone else's brand of Christianity you are dammed.  I think the better question to ask is what must you get right?  In Matthew chapter 16 there was much talk among the crowds as to Who or Whom they thought Jesus was.  Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was.  "Simon Peter answered, “You...

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark.1.15). I would like to take the time to define and explain to you, those three words; REPENT, BELIEVE, and GOSPEL, because they are clouded with much misunderstanding and misrepresentation by men. First of all the Bible was not written in the English language. In fact, the English language did not even come into existence as a language until about 1000 years after the Bible was completed. The Old Testament (the first 39 books of the bible) was written primarily in an ancient language called Hebrew and some Aramaic. The New Testament (the last 27 books of the bible) was written in Greek, because Greek was the written language at the time of Jesus and His apostles. The English word GOSPEL is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (EUAGGELION) ; which means good news. Now here is a summary of the good news about Jesus that I also re...

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15). I would like to take the time now to explain to you three words; gospel, faith, and repentance. These three words are clouded with much misunderstanding and misrepresentation by men. You may be thinking or even saying "What is this babbler talking about, why is he doing this?" I am doing this for two reasons, both of which are given in this passage from Romans chapter 1. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “ But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (16,17). The first reason: I am not ashamed of the Gospel! I am preaching as an act of worship of my Lord who saved me; as a gift, by His grace. The word grace means unmerited favor, I don't deserve it, nor can...

God did not redeem angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell. With man however, God always preserves a few. When God flooded the whole Earth He preserved Noah and seven others; Noah's wife, his three sons and their wives. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone He preserved Lot, and His two daughters. Lot's wife was destroyed when she looked back. I personally find this amazing that with the angels God destroys them all, however with man most are destroyed, but He always preserves a few. In every case these few don't deserve it, but God gives them what they need to be redeemed. The ones preserved have this in common; they believed (trusted) the Lord. Reference: 2 Peter chapter 2

Three years ago I was compelled to begin memorizing the Gospel According to John. When I began I did not know the reason why. Continuously reciting these passages has drawn me closer to my Lord, this is certain, but why was I compelled to memorize this gospel? Around this same period of time I was compelled to do something else as well. I began preaching the gospel in open-air. I have watched and listened to men who preach in open-air, some do well and some very badly. Some preach the gospel and some simply preach against men and never actually preach the gospel. As I have done this I have always been compelled to use the scriptures in my preaching. I have written a few articles about this. We are not the witnesses of Jesus Christ, His apostles are, and they have left us with their witness in written form. I see now what I am to do. I am to combine these two compulsions of memorizing the Gospel According to John and preaching in open-air. I have done this in the past ...

Jesus began His ministry in Galilee preaching the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15).     I would like to  take th e  time  today  to explain those two words; repent and gospel .  There is  so  much misunderstanding as to what those two words  actually  mean. The word gospel is derived from two Old English words; gõd  and  spel,  translated in to English from the Greek word  e uaggelion ;  which means good news.  This is the good news concerning Jesus.  He is the Christ, a descendent of David according to the flesh, declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.  He performed many mighty miracles before men, demonstrating that He came from God.  He promised eternal life to everyone who entrust themselves to Him alone by faith.  He was then crucified, dead and buried...

I have refrained up to now from saying anything with regards to Robin Williams death. The reason, I don't know him. I've enjoyed several of his parts in movies, he has been a source of laughter at times, and I've always thought his face was pleasant; but I don't know him. Therefore, how am I to cast judgment against him as many of you have. The judgement that I speak of is not in saying that something is right or wrong, we are to make these kinds of judgments, but in condemning someone to hell. In this there is but One Law Giver and Judge. I know that whoever is trusting in Christ alone all his sins past, present, and future have been paid in full. The Christian does not enter into heaven based on his merit but Christ's alone. The Christian is born again with a new nature but remains in his sinful flesh until glorified. I myself battle depression from time-to-time. So can a Christian commit suicide? I give the answer that many theologians have given, I don't kno...

Faith, where does it come from? How can a man who does not believe suddenly believe? People don’t have faith then suddenly believe, how and why? If you don’t have something, how can you then have it unless it was given to you? Is faith something that can be earned, why would you then work for what you do not believe? If you then work for it, isn’t it then because you believe that you work? So then where does faith come from if we neither have it nor can work for it? Faith is of the Lord! Faith is solely a gift from God! Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” God declares unrighteous men righteous, and does so as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. God displayed Him publicly as a merciful atoning sacrifice for all the believing in Him. So, if you are trusting in Jesus God has declared you righteous, and can do so because Jesus lived righteously and willingly died in place of a...

Many things are called the gospel, but what really is the gospel? The word gospel is a Middle English word derived from the Old English god spell. It is translated from Greek euaggelion, which means good news. Therefore, the gospel is news, it is a report of events that actually occurred and these reportable events about Jesus are good. Here is a summary of the good news concerning Jesus. He is the Christ, a descendent of David according to the flesh, declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, He lived a righteous life, He did many mighty miracles, and promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. He was crucified, dead and buried; then on the third day arose from the grave. After His resurrection He first appeared to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus, then to Peter, and then to the other disciples. His disciples witnessed His ascension into heaven, and were told by angles that He will return in the same way that they saw Him go in...

My Doctrine on Nursing is Love The intent of this document is to describe my own personal philosophy of nursing. My personal philosophy of nursing proceeds forth from my faith in Christ Jesus. God is love and Jesus is the image of the invisible God making Him the personification of love. He said to love one another even as I have loved you; God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. So, therefore, my personal philosophy of nursing is love. To love one’s client as you love yourself should dictate all that we do as nurses in practice. So I ask myself with regards to my clients; if I was in this situation, or my family member was, how would I want to be treated and talked to? What information would I want to be given? This should not be based on reciprocal love, but a denying of oneself for that period of time in which we care for the client, his or her family members, and others on the health care team. Choice of Nursing ...

It is my belief that many have the wrong idea about open-air preaching. The idea is not to beat up the people in the world, but to teach them about Jesus, who He is and what He has done. The apostles Peter and John were told by the angel who released them from prison; “’Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.’ Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.” (Acts.5.20-21) The best open-air preachers are not those with a mind set to beat up the people in the world, but are teachers with the desire to educate. For one is saved solely as a gift by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus. C.H. Spurgeon said faith has three parts: Knowledge, belief, and trust. So, therefore, faith begins with knowledge and that is what God has given us to do; to give knowledge. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will the...

I have suggested before in a previous blog that you and I are not the witnesses for Christ Jesus, His chosen Apostles are His witnesses, and still are through the New Testament, which they have left for us ,“ Who Are the Witnesses of Christ Jesus? ”. Today I would like to tell you my thoughts as I read through part of Acts this morning. In Acts 1 the eleven Apostles, prior to the day of Pentecost, were talking about Judas; the one who betrayed the Lord. They had decided to cast lots between two men; Joseph and Matthias. They knew from scripture that Judas was to be replaced, so they had decided between themselves to cast lots for these two men and prayed that the Lord would decide which one of them He wanted to be the replacement for Judas as one of the twelve Apostles. I see this as men trying by their own effort to affect the things of God. The Apostles were chosen by the Lord Himself, He did not need any suggestions from man; the Apostles are His chosen witnesses into t...

The gospel is not repent or perish; this is the message spoken by men who take our Lord’s words out of context, who focus their attention on the sins of other men. The gospel is not repent and believe, if you then sin you prove yourself to be an unbeliever; this is the message spoken by men who focus within, trying to keep the law after having believed. The gospel is that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; the law is fulfilled in Christ Jesus alone, God’s requirement for eternal life is fulfilled in Him; He lived a righteous life deserving heaven, He willing took our punishment which is death, to give us eternal life; why would you look any where else but Christ? The law of God is fulfilled in the one who does not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, that is through faith in Jesus alone. Well then, should we go on sinning that grace may increase? We died with Christ when we trusted in Him, He bought us with His own blood, therefo...

Dear Brothers and Sisters; We are free from sin, because we died with Christ, and are raised to walk in newness of life. Through faith in Christ Jesus we are united with Him in the likeness of His death and His resurrection. We are free from sin, because we died with Christ and now He lives in us. It is no longer us who lives, but it is Christ who lives in us. Christ died to sin once for all and is alive to God forevermore. Therefore consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus forevermore. Do not worry about sin or its lusts, because you are not under law you are under grace. Do not give into sin either; because you are not a slave of sin, you are not obligated to obey its lusts. You are a slave of Christ Jesus who bought you with His own blood. When you see, hear, or think something that is a temptation to sin; do not worry over it, or resist it, because you are not under law you are under grace. Do not give into sin either; because you are not a slav...

This Greek word  (πιστευω pisteuo)  is found throughout the New Testament usually translated: Believe, Believes, Believing, Believers, or Believed; for this reason Christians are called Believers. We as Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone; Jesus laid down His own life on the cross for His sheep.  His sheep are all the believing (pisteuo) in Him. So if all the believing in Christ Jesus are saved; why does it seem that some bear good fruit while others bear bad fruit? For this reason English translations need explanation. The great English preacher of the 19th century Charles H. Spurgeon said; "Faith has three parts; knowledge, belief, and trust." There are a great number of people who have knowledge of Jesus, there are many people who believe in Jesus, but there are only a few who trust in Jesus. The literal understanding of pisteuo is to entrust. A slave of Jesus Christ

Which one of these statements is true: As Christians we are on conditional footing ; meaning that we are both obligated to do some things and to not do some things in order to enter the kingdom of God. As Christians we are on unconditional footing ; meaning that we are neither obligated to do anything nor keep from doing anything in order to enter the kingdom of God. I fear that many who call themselves Christian will espouse that eternal life is all of grace, but at the same time think that they are under obligation to keep the law. For approximately one year now some friends and I have had an ongoing discussion about a particular passage of scripture, Romans 7:13-25. The question is this, is Paul talking about himself as a believer struggling with sin or as an unbeliever? I can see validity in both points of view; as a Christian I struggle with temptation and sin on a daily basis, on the other hand the man in this passage has no victory over sin at all. So is Paul talkin...

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans.6.23.NASB) Pain, suffering, death, hunger, thirst, sorrow, mourning, poverty; there is a place where all these have passed away. Would you like to go there? Jesus has promised eternal life to all who believe and follow after Him. He has promised to go and prepare a place for us, in His Father’s house, and to come again and receive us to Himself, so that we may be where He is also. Jesus made this promise to all His sheep; not just to those who followed Him during His earthly ministry but those also who believe in Him through their word. Jesus was captured, scourged, and crucified on a Roman cross made of wood. While on that cross He suffered, bleed, and died. He was taken down, buried in a tomb, and then on the third day He arose from the dead appearing first to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus, then to Peter, then the other apostles, and then to over ...

What is the gospel? The gospel is purely the good news concerning Jesus the Christ the Son of God; His righteous life, His sacrificial death for the sins of men, His burial, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, and His promise of eternal life to everyone who believes. So when the Lord said to His disciples; “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) He was telling them, “Go tell the world about Me, go tell them what I have done and said.” Why is this important to understand, because we can easily get caught up in so many different things, but the gospel alone is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16).  I have three questions for you while keeping in mind that the gospel is good news: 1) Were you a witness of these things?  2) Who did witness these things? 3) Who then are the witnesses of Christ Jesus?  I'm going to teach you about something you may not have heard before, at least in this way, but it's not...

Have you ever grappled with the fact that Jesus said many times and in many ways “all the believing in Him will be saved”; yet, there are those who profess Jesus as Lord, saying that they believe in Him, but at the same time denying what He said by either adding works as a requirement for salvation or in living apathetically to His commands? Are these people saved or are they not saved; if what Jesus said is true, they are saved; yet, they don’t believe what He said so how can they be believing in Him? The short answer; they are not saved, and the reason that they are not saved is because they do not believe/trust in Jesus the Christ the only begotten Son of God. One thing I know to be true; your actions will always follow your beliefs. Many of you know that I have endeavored to memorize the gospel of John, and because of this I spend a great deal of time everyday meditating on this particular book of the Bible. So, therefore, anything that I say or think is colored by this part...