Challenge Of Faith Ministries

Sharing the Gospel

of Jesus Christ

Challenge Of Faith Ministries

Changing Seasons

MARCH LENT SEASON

"IS "LENT" IMPORTANT TO YOU?"

What is "LENT" all about? For those who are Faithful in observing "LENT" it is a "40" Day period before Easter, and is a season of SOUL-SEARCHING and REPENTANCE. A season for Reflection and taking Stock of ones SPIRITUAL LIFE. Now understand, although "LENT" covers a period of "40" Days, "ALL" whose Faith rests in the Crucified, Buried and Risen Lord Jesus Christ should be taking Stock of their Spiritual Lives EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, and not just for a brief "40" Day period.

Some have asked, "Why does "LENT" cover a "40" Day period? The answer often recited is that the number "40" is often found in the Word of God. Moses stayed on the Mountain of God "40" Days. (Exodus 24:18) When the 12 Spies were sent to check things out as the Israelites approached the Promised Land, they returned after "40" Days to give their report. (Numbers 13:25) Elijah traveled "40" Days before he reached the Cave where he had his great Vision. (I Kings 19:8) God sent Jonah to Nineveh and when he finally arrived, as we know with great difficulty, he gave them "40" Days to Repent. (Jonah 3:4)

BUT, most importantly, prior to undertaking His Ministry, JESUS spent "40" Days in the Wilderness, Praying and Fasting, as He was Tempted by Satan, who was soundly Defeated as JESUS answered each Temptation with the POWERFUL WORD OF GOD. O Yes, Satan learned, just as every one of us learned, "The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and Sharper than any Two-edged Sword, Piercing even to the Dividing of Soul and Spirit, and of Joints and Marrow, and is a "DISCERNER" OF THE "THOUGHTS" AND "INTENTS" OF THE HEART." Hebrews 4:12

If any one observes "LENT" it should not simply be denying yourself of something you habitually do, such as Smoking, or Drinking, or Excessive Eating of Certain Foods, or Shopping Sprees, or you name it, for "40" Days. Obviously, "some" of these should be done away with completely and others with greater control. If you want to "GIVE UP SOMETHING" give attention to what the Word of God exhorts us to do.

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer "WALK" as the rest of the Gentiles Walk, in the Futility of their Mind, having their understanding darkened, being Alienated from the Life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. BUT YOU BELIEVERS HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST. That you "PUT OFF" concerning your Former Conduct the "OLD MAN" the "OLD LIFE" which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. And be "RENEWED" in the Spirit of your Mind. And that you put on the "NEW MAN" the "NEW LIFE" WHICH WAS CREATED ACCORDING TO GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.

Therefore PUTTING AWAY "LYING!" Let each one of you speak "TRUTH" with his neighbor for we are members of one another. Do not be Angry, nor let the Sun go down on your Wrath, nor give place to the Devil. Let him who Stole Steal no more, but rather let him Labor, working with his Hands what is Good, that he may have something to give him who has Need. Let no "CORRUPT WORD" proceed out of your Mouth, but what is Good for necessary Edification, that it may Impart Grace to the Hearers. And do not GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, by whom you were "SEALED" for the Day of Redemption. Let all Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Clamor and Evil Speaking be "PUT AWAY" from you with all Malice, And be "KIND" to one another, TENDERHEARTED "FORGIVING" one another, EVEN AS GOD IN CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU!" Ephesians 4:17-32

If such Truth were applied to each Life observing the "40" DAYS of "LENT" AND each day of the year, how different each Life would be. Yes, they would be Lives that Truly reveal that they are part of the "TRUE COLONY OF HEAVEN!" If you are observing these "40" DAYS of "LENT" then let these Days and each Day of the Year, be a time of Reflection on the Glorious Event of Palm Sunday when the King of kings humbly rode into the City of Jerusalem on a Donkey. A time to Reflect on "GOOD FRIDAY" when JESUS went to the Cross of Calvary to pay the Supreme Price for our Sins to set us Free from its Guilt and Condemnation, and to bring us into a NEW LIFE. The Day, He paid a DEBT He did not OWE, FOR US, who OWED a DEBT we could not pay. Reflect on Glorious EASTER DAY when JESUS robbed Death of its Victory and brought to light Immortality by His Resurrection from the Grave. UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE, HALLELUJAH CHRIST AROSE.

"SEEK "FIRST" THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE "THINGS" SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU!" Matthew 6:33

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"IN BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD.....AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH." John 1:1-14

Jesus said, "FOR I HAVE COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, NOT TO DO MY OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME.....I AM THE LIVING BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN! I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE, HE WHO COMES TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER THIRST. FOR THE BREAD OF GOD IS HE WHO COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND G IVES LIFE TO THE WORLD."

STAY VERY CLOSE TO HIM!

"CLOSER TO GOD I CANNOT BE FOR IN THE

PERSON OF HIS SON I AM JUST AS CLOSE AS HE."

FELLOW BELIEVER

THIS IS OUR ETERNAL POSITION THAT IS OURS

THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

BUT

"HOW CLOSE IS OUR DAILY WALK AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM!"

Enthusiasm is CONTAGIOUS! When a person is really zealous about anything,

the FIRE of his BURNING conviction will ignite others into action for the same

cause. We all know the powerful effect of the words "MR. GORBACHEV, TEAR

DOWN THIS WALL" spoken by President Ronald Reagan years ago when

visiting in Germany, and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. "I HAVE A DREAM"

and "WE SHALL OVERCOME!" They were words that IGNITED and INSPIRED

so many people across our land and around the world.

The early Apostles and the multitudes of followers of JESUS were transformed

from simple Fishermen, and Laborers, into Enthusiastic, Fervent Witnesses,

when they fully realized that JESUS was indeed the SON OF GOD, who had

literally "RISEN" from the "DEAD!" With excitement, the Apostle John wrote,

"That which was from the beginning, which we have "HEARD" which we have

"SEEN" with our "EYES" which we have "LOOKED UPON" and our HANDS have

"HANDLED" concerning the WORD OF LIFE." I John 1:1-2

The Apostle Peter wrote: "For we did not follow cunningly devised "FABLES"

when we made know to you the "POWER" and "COMING" of our

LORD JESUS CHRIST,

BUT WERE "EYEWITNESSES" OF HIS MAJESTY!"

When these Excited, Enthusiastic, Redeemed and Transformed Men began to

BOLDLY SPEAK OUT

for the CRUCIFIED, AND RISEN LORD, the Sanhedrin, the Ruling Body in

Jerusalem, "Seeing the BOLDNESS of Peter and John, and perceiving that

they were Unlearned Men, THEY MARVELED, AND THEY REALIZED THAT

THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." Acts 4:13

What a TESTIMONY! Of course, the Leaders were not pleased with these Fiery

Witnesses, and they wanted to STOP them from spreading the Message that

JESUS CHRIST was indeed the long promised "MESSIAH" and that HE was

VICTORIOUS over DEATH! "SO THEY CALLED THEM AND COMMANDED

THEM "NOT" TO "SPEAK" AT ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS."

Friend, when you have WALKED, and TALKED, and LISTENED to JESUS

CHRIST, the DEATH CONQUEROR, over a period of 40 days after HIS

RESURRECTION from the DEAD, there is only one answer you can give to the

COMMAND TO SPEAK "NO MORE" in the NAME OF JESUS: "PETER AND

JOHN ANSWERED AND SAID TO THEM, WHETHER IT IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT

OF GOD TO LISTEN TO YOU MORE THAN TO GOD, YOU JUDGE, FOR

"WE CANNOT" BUT SPEAK THE THINGS WHICH

WE HAVE "SEEN" AND "HEARD." Acts 4:19-20

There it is Friend, the "POWERFUL" result of BEING WITH JESUS in a close

relationship. Today, the Body of Believer's here at home and around the World

are being faced with the same issue of "SPEAKING" and "WITNESSING" IN

THE NAME OF JESUS!

The World doesn't want to hear that JESUS "ALONE" IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH,

AND THE LIFE, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER ABOVE!" John 14:6

They want every Religious System to have an "EQUAL STANDING" with NO

SYSTEM of belief considered better than the other. How will we ANSWER those

who do not want us to share the Good News of the Gospel? Will our answer be

"WE CANNOT?"

Or will our answer be

"WE CANNOT BUT "SPEAK" THE "TRUTH" WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM

THE CRUCIFIED, BURIED AND RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST."

I AM CONFIDENT THIS INDEED WILL BE OUR ANSWER,

IF WE ARE DAILY WALKING CLOSE TO JESUS!

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The First Draft and Printing of President Abraham Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation" was reviewed and discussed by his Cabinet. On JANUARY 1, 1883, when the Nation was approaching the Third Year of the Bloody and Costly Civil War, the Final Draft was signed by President Lincoln. The Proclamation declared that "ALL PERSONS HELD AS SLAVES WITHIN THE REBELLIOUS STATES ARE, AND HENCEFORWARD SHALL BE "FREE!"

Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately "FREE" a single Slave, it did transform the Character of the War. After JANUARY 1. 1883, every advance of the Federal Troops expanded the DOMAIN OF FREEDOM. In addition, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of Black Men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the "LIBERATED" to become "LIBERATORS!" By the end of the Civil War, approximately 200,000 Black Soldiers had fought for the Union and for "FREEDOM!"

We know only too well that a Costly Struggle and loss of Life followed for many years before the "FREEDOM" they sought to achieve finally saw some daylight, and one of the strong voices that accelerated the movement, was the voice of Martin Luther King Jr. The speech of this strong leader, "I HAVE A DREAM" will long be remembered, along with the song "WE SHALL OVERCOME!" January 16 of each year has been set aside to honor him, for the life he gave to proclaim "FREEDOM FOR ALL!"

Hundreds of years before President Lincoln and Dr. King, there was another Voice that was heard Proclaiming "FREEDOM!" It was the Voice of the SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST. The Holy Scriptures states, "So Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day and stood up to read. He was handed the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, And when He had opened the Book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to Preach the "GOSPEL" to the Poor; He has sent Me to Heal the Brokenhearted; To Proclaim "LIBERTY" to the Captives; and Recovery of Sight to the Blind; TO SET AT "LIBERTY" THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD. Jesus then said to them, "TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING!" Luke 4:16-21

Jesus Christ proclaimed Himself as the "ONE" who would bring True and Eternal "FREEDOM" to "ALL" who would come to Him for Deliverance, for He said, "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING YOU SHALL KNOW THE "TRUTH" AND THE "TRUTH" WILL SET YOU "FREE!" All who were present when He spoke these words were stunned by what He said, and shouted, "HOW SHALL WE KNOW THAT WE SHALL BE SET "FREE?" Jesus answered, "IF THE "SON" SHALL SET YOU "FREE" YOU SHALL BE "FREE" INDEED!" John 8:31

O yes, Friends, the Eternal Son of God left the Glories of Heaven and entered our world to give up His Life on the Cross of Calvary to set us "FREE!" He said, "For I have Come Down from Heaven not to do My Will, but the Will of Him who sent Me. And this is the Will of Him who sent Me, that "EVERYONE" who sees the SON, and believes in Him may have Everlasting Life, and I will Raise him up at the Last Day. John 6:38-40 The Word of God further states: "Who Himself bore our Sins in His Own Body on the Tree!" I Peter 2:24 And again: "Know this, you were not Redeemed with perishable things such as Silver and Gold, but with the "PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST" AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT." I Peter 1:18-19

If Jesus Christ is your Personal Lord and Savior, "REJOICE" for you have been set "FREE" from the Guilt and Penalty of Sin. "There is therefore now, "NO CONDEMNATION" to those who are "IN CHRIST JESUS!" Romans 8:1 Further, "Nothing can separate Believers from the LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS." Romans 8:39 We can Truly sing "FREE AT LAST BY THE GRACE OF GOD! And in addition, "WE ARE OVER-COMERS by the Power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Satan will work hard to Deceive and Defeat us, but "WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US." "FOR GREATER IS HE "CHRIST" WHO IS IN US, THAN HE "SATAN" WHO IS IN THE WORLD!

NOW HEAR THIS: Having been "LIBERATED" we now have become "LIBERATORS!" The Word of God declares "Now then we are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, as though GOD were pleading through us, we implore you on Christ's behalf be "RECONCILED" to GOD. For He has made Him who knew no sin TO BE SIN FOR US, that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM." II Corinthians 5:20-21

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph.. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3:16). I am complete in Christ Jesus (Col. 2:10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14).I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God!
Do you know
Who you are?

Keep this bell ringing . . . pass it on

'The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace . . .'
(Numbers 6:24-26)

IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SOME TIME AGO THAT ON DECEMBER 17 OF EACH YEAR, THIS SPECIAL DAY WOULD BE CALLED “UNDERDOG DAY!”

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? WE ALL KNOW THAT IN THE REALM OF SPORTS, WHEN TWO OPPONENTS PLAY AGAINST EACH OTHER, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT IS TOO TOUGH TO CALL WHO WILL WIN, USUALLY ONE OF THE TEAMS OR INDIVIDUALS PLAYING IN THE CONTEST IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE UNDERDOG.

I RECALL SO WELL THE YEAR THE NEW YORK YANKEES AND THE FLORIDA MARLINS WERE PLAYING IN THE “WORLD SERIES” FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP! THE YANKEES, WITH THEIR POWERHOUSE HITTERS AND PITCHERS, WERE FAVORED TO SWEEP THE SERIES IN FOUR OR FIVE GAMES AT THE MOST. THE LOWLY FLORIDA MARLINS WERE CONSIDERED A MISFIT IN THE MINDS OF SO MANY FANS, AND THEY, WITHOUT QUESTION, WERE THE OBVIOUS “UNDERDOGS!” JUST IN CASE YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT WORLD SERIES, THE LOWLY MARLINS TAUGHT THE HIGHLY TOUTED YANKEES A TREMENDOUS LESSON!

WELL, WHAT DOES THIS MATTER OF BEING AN “UNDERDOG” HAVE TO DO WITH THE THE MESSAGE WE HAVE IN THE SCRIPTURES, THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD? TODAY, THERE IS A GIGANTIC MOVEMENT TAKING PLACE IN OUR WORLD TO CREATE A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT WHICH SOON WILL COME TO PASS AS THE WORD OF GOD CLEARLY REVEALS. BUT, THERE IS ALSO A GREAT MOVEMENT IN RELIGIOUS CIRCLES TO BUILD A ONE WORLD CHURCH WHERE EVERYONE’S PERSONAL BELIEF WOULD BE ACCEPTED ON EQUAL TERMS WITH EVERYONE ELSE. IN PLAIN WORDS THEY ARE SAYING WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS NO BETTER THAN WHAT I BELIEVE. AFTER ALL, WE ARE ALL TRAVELING TO THE SAME PLACE, AND ALTHOUGH WE MAY BE TRAVELING DIFFERENT PATHS TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, WE WILL ALL FINALLY REACH OUR HEAVENLY GOAL.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE “NUMBER” OF THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING MANY DIFFERENT RELIGIONS WHO ARE SEEKING TO BUILD THIS ONE WORLD CHURCH, IT WOULD SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT THE REDEEMED BODY OF CHRIST, THE TRUE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST LOOKS LIKE AN “UNDERDOG!”

IN FACT MANY VOICES ARE BEING RAISED CLEARLY STATING THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO HEAVEN APART FROM JESUS CHRIST ALONE, MUST BE “ELIMINATED” FOR SUCH ARE HOLDING BACK PROGRESS TO CO-EXIST IN TRUE PEACE IN THE WORLD.

THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST UNDERDOGS? NO, NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS. “FOR WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US!” Romans 8:37 JESUS CHRIST IS “THE ONLY POTENTATE, THE KING OF kings, AND LORD OF lords, WHO “ALONE” HAS IMMORTALITY DWELLING IN UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT.” I Timothy 6:15-16 “NOW TO HIM, WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING, AND TO PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH EXCEEDING JOY, TO “GOD” OUR “SAVIOR” WHO “ALONE” IS WISE, BE GLORY AND MAJESTY, DOMINION AND POWER BOTH NOW AND FOREVER, AMEN. Jude 1 24-25

YES FRIENDS, JESUS CHRIST, THE KING OF kings, AND LORD OF lords, PLAINLY DECLARED THIS AMAZING TRUTH OF HISTORY SO THAT “ALL” PEOPLES OF THE WORLD MIGHT KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHEN HE SAID, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY “ME!” John 14:6 COULD JESUS HAVE SAID THAT ANY CLEARER?

ONE DAY JESUS SAID TO HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS: “REJOICE, BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE RECORDED IN HEAVEN.” Luke 10:20 WHY REJOICE? WELL FRIEND, IT IS BECAUSE IT WILL BE A VERY SAD DAY FOR THOSE “WHOSE NAMES HAVE “NOT” BEEN RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF “LIFE” OF THE “LAMB” SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.” Revelation 13:8

THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE “HE WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON “HAS” EVERLASTING LIFE, AND HE WHO DOES “NOT” BELIEVE THE “SON” SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDES ON HIM.” John 3:36

FOR THE REDEEMED BODY OF TRUE BELIEVERS, “VICTORY IS GUARANTEED! ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE “VICTORIOUS” FAMILY OF GOD BY PLACING A “LIVING FAITH” IN THE CRUCIFIED, BURIED AND DEATH CONQUERING LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO WILL GIVE YOU A “LIVING HOPE!” YOU WILL NEVER BE AN “UNDERDOG” WHEN THE “VICTORIOUS CHRIST” IS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, FOR HE WILL HAVE THE "FINAL WORD" WHEN HE COMES WITH ALL THE REDEEMED OF THE AGES TO REIGN FOR A THOUSAND YEARS RIGHT HERE ON EARTH. WILL YOU BE ONE WHO WILL REIGN WITH HIM, OR WILL YOU HEAR JESUS SAY, "I NEVER KNEW YOU, DEPART FROM ME!"

"IF YOU WILL CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD, AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR WITH THE MOUTH YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED, AND WITH THE HEART YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED." Romans 10:9-10

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These were the words spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the members of Congress and to the people of the United States, after the surprise attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Mitsuo Fuchida earned a place in World History as the leader of this surprise attack aimed at the U.S. Navy Ships based there for our protection. It was Fuchida who sent the famous radio message code words

This three word message assured his Superiors, Planner Minoru Genda, and Admirals Nagumo and Yamamoto that complete surprise had been achieved. It was an attack that occurred fifty-five minutes before there was even a Declaration of War against the United States by the Government of Japan. The goal of the attack was to sufficiently cripple the US Fleet so that Japan could then attack and capture the Philippines and Indo-China, and secure access to the raw materials needed to maintain its position as a Global and Economic Power.

Imperial Admiral Yamamoto, who conceived, designed and promoted the attack, cautioned against War with the United States. Having twice held Naval Attache Positions within the Japanese Embassy in the US Capital, he knew the industrial strength, material wealth, and temperment of the United States people. However, over ruled by his Superiors, he then dedicated his efforts to accomplish a successful attack. Upon completion of the attack, he is quoted to have said, "WE HAVE AWAKENED A SLEEPING GIANT AND HAVE INSTILLED IN HIM A TERRIBLE RESOLVE." HOW ACCURATE WERE HIS WORDS.

Approaching Pearl Harbor, Mitsuo Fuchida saw the rays of the early morning sun shining through the clouds, and he felt it was a good omen because it had the appearance of the Japanese Flag. However, the day would soon come when Fuchida would be serving under a different flag, "THE FLAG OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!"

In 1960 I was in Germany on a Mission Trip visiting the Displaced Persons Center in West Berlin. The opportunity was given to share with so many who had fled from behind the Iron Curtain seeking Freedom and a New LIfe in the West. It was there that I had the privilege of meeting Mitsuo Fuchida! No longer was he a Pilot in the Japanese Navy, for he had become a Warrior for the cause of Jesus Christ. In 1949, hearing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he opened his heart to the Lord, and embraced Him as his personal Lord and Savior, and in 1952 became a "MISSIONARY" to his own people and traveled around the world sharing the message of Eternal Salvation.

What a "JOY" it was to meet this "DYNAMIC" fellow servant of Jesus Christ. That day on the platform there were two AMERICANS, a GERMAN, and a JAPANESE, all from countries that were engaged in World War II. However, on that special day, no longer enemies, for we were joined together under a New Banner, "THE BANNER OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST!" We were eternally tied together with a steadfast faith in the Crucified, Buried and Risen Savior, with one passion, TO LEAD PRECIOUS SOULS TO THE "ONLY" ONE WHO HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE - JESUS CHRIST!

Friends, the powerful Gospel Message has "NOT" and "NEVER" will lose its POWER. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO "EVERYONE" WHO BELIEVES!" Romans 1:16 O yes, "THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS TO THOSE WHO ARE "PERISHING" is "FOOLISHNESS" but unto us who are "SAVED" IT IS THE POWER OF GOD!" I Corinthians 1:18

The day is fast approaching when the LORD will return as He promised, and when we stand before the KING of kings, and LORD of lords, as faithful servants, we will hear our SUPERIOR, THE LORD OF CREATION AND SALVATION, say,