Robert, a servant and follower of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To all the saints and churches in the world:

Grace and peace and love to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God for all of you. I have seen some of your faith in the Lord. It amazes me!

I wish to pray for you and this is my prayer: that your love and your faith will increase and that you will bring glory to God forever and ever. Amen.

I have also heard of some things that have disturbed me. I hear that friendships are being broken and that friends have become enemies. This should not be! If we are Christians, we need to live at peace with one another for it says in 1 Corinthians 7:15b (TNIV)-

God has called us to live in peace.

Why then, do we fight? I know that Christ came to put a daughter against her mother and a son against his father but if you both are on the same side, why fight? We should be at peace with everyone!

I have also seen people tell lies. It's ridiculous! Lies are sin and remember that the Word of God says in Colossians 3:9 (TNIV)-

Do not lie to each other.

I have also heard cussing and the use of God’s name in vain. This is getting ridiculous! You foolish Christians! How dare you curse the Lord’s name! How can you bless His name and then turn around and curse it? In Colossians 3:8, the Scriptures say:

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: …filthy language from your lips.

It also says in James 3:9-12 (TNIV)-

            With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

In the same way, how can we praise the Lord and then turn around and misuse God’s name? My brothers and sisters, why do you praise and curse God? Out of the same mouth as well? Why do you do this?! Many do not realize they are using God’s name in vain when they are. When you say, “Oh my Gosh,” instead of “Oh my God,” and using it in the wrong context, you are using God’s name in vain. “Gosh,” is just a substitute for the Lord’s name. Anything that replaces the word or the phrase is a substitute; therefore you are saying the same thing. You are also saying the same thing when you substitute a word for a cuss word. This cannot be! My brothers and sisters, you shouldn’t use the Lord’s name in vain nor should you have a filthy tongue.

Now then, be strong and courageous for the Lord our God is with you always! My brothers and sisters, encourage one another and do not discourage each other. Treat each other as you would want to be treated.

I hope that you will grow in your faith and will be strong through the trouble and strife.

Your Brother In Christ,

Robert