Lee W. Brainard

WHAT IS AN APOSTATE? An apostate is someone who has encountered the truth, recognized the light, and ultimately rejected it. They have heard the Gospel, been exposed to biblical truth, and turned away from what they know to be true. Some apostates come from religious backgrounds, embracing false religious systems such as Roman Catholicism, liberal Protestantism, or Mormonism. Others turn to atheism, rejecting the testimony of God revealed through creation and the evidence He has provided (Romans 1:18-20). In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus describes religious people who call Him Lord, yet He declares, "I never knew you." They had a religious profession, but they never belonged to Him. When someone rejects the light and casts it away as an unclean thing, hardening their heart against it, they have rejected the only way of salvation. There's nothing left.

God uses imperfect people who make mistakes. None of us is perfect, yet His grace is manifested powerfully in our lives every day as we continue serving Him.

THE RAPTURE CANNOT BE STUDIED IN ISOLATION. The question of the rapture involves far more than a single passage or a debate over timing. It requires us to consider the entire prophetic testimony of Scripture: God's promises concerning Israel, the tribulation, the Antichrist, the coming of Christ, Armageddon, and the catching away of the church. These subjects must be studied together, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture rather than forcing individual passages into a preconceived system. Why does this matter? Our understanding of one prophetic subject affects how we interpret others. When passages are taken out of their proper context or made to conform to a predetermined position, we distort the very truths God has revealed. Our goal must be to understand God's prophetic plan as He has revealed it in His Word, rightly dividing Scripture and allowing the whole counsel of God to shape our conclusions.

Every snowflake is different. ❄️ Think about that for a moment. The same God who created the vast universe also designed these tiny, intricate wonders, each with its own unique pattern. We are only scratching the surface of His incredible creativity. “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all.” Psalm 104:24

IRON SHARPENS IRON You cannot have a figurative truth unless there is a literal truth. Iron was actually used to sharpen iron. The literal truth gives us the foundation for understanding the figurative application. Just as iron sharpens iron, good conversations with solid brothers and sisters in Christ sharpen us in our understanding of Scripture. Through sound discussion, we grow in our ability to rightly divide the Word of truth and become workmen who need not be ashamed. Surround yourself with believers who will challenge you with the truth of God's Word, encourage sound doctrine, and help you grow in spiritual discernment.

Two corollaries to sola scriptura are sola facta and omnia facta. Two corollaries to "the Bible only" are "only facts" and "all the facts." -Lee Brainard

Political Involvement Our commission in this present age is not to fix the world through political activism, but to call men out of the world through the gospel so they will not be judged with the world. The world will not be cleaned up until the Lord descends from heaven and binds the devil. We must never forget the big picture presented to us in the Bible. By all means, be a voice for the truth of the living God. Defend the defenseless. Speak up for the voiceless. Articulate the mind of God. But never lose sight of the bigger picture. Political involvement may influence certain issues, but lasting change begins in the hearts of men. Our priority must remain bringing people to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, one person at a time. Jesus is your pattern, not modern, hip Christianity.

The Comfort of a Lie Many are willing to be lied to, as long as the lie confirms an already existing belief. The lie becomes justified if it contributes to the narrative, regardless of how egregious the lie is. Hard to combat such nonsense.

Saturday, November 14, 2026 “Awake & Ready: Living in Light Of His Return” TIME – 7:30AM – 4:00PM MESSAGE – TBD VENUE – Calvary Chapel Inverness ADDRESS – 960 S. US Highway 41 Inverness, FL 34450 MORE INFORMATION – calvaryinv.com/2026-cci-prop…