War with the Devil

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

ICE operations in this country is war with the Devil. Everything they do—whether they know it or not—is to reduce evil in this country and to make room for God’s peace and goodness.

So why are so many people unhappy with them and protesting them? Here are a few points.

1. They don’t fully realize what ICE is doing—their mission: to rid the country of evil.

2. They are unhappy with ICE because they are disrupting their carefree lifestyle. Many don’t care about what others are doing, even if it is criminal. They just want peace for themselves, even if it involves sins. And they don’t want anyone around spying on their so-called freedom.

3. They don’t want to have any part in or be influenced in any way in what ICE is trying to do—to clean up the country.

4. Many are choosing neutrality over war. They may be thinking that no evil influence will come their way. At the beginning of WWII Norway went that way. They knew that Hitler was coming, but they thought they were safe. They were wrong. Hitler’s war machine came right in at night and easily overran them. If they had built up their defenses and strengthened their military, WWII would have been over much earlier—and would have saved a lot of bloodshed. Peace through strength is always a superior strategy when dealing with evil forces. Trump, with his ICE troops, are doing so much good by destroying evil, even if people are being disrupted from their easy lifestyle. We need to support them and pray for them. It’s not an easy job, but it’s got to be done for the good of the country.

Keep Fervent in Your Love

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:8

8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Here Peter indicates that love for one another (in the body of Christ) is most important, especially in these last days—at “the end of all things.” We don’t want to be guilty of any sin against our brothers—especially when He comes. Hence, love will help us to end any sin we have toward another.

Waiting for His Coming

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:7

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

“The end of all things” is referring to this life as we know it—the end being the Rapture of the church, then the seven-year Tribulation, then His Second Coming and His new kingdom. To be of “sound judgment and sober spirit” means that we are to be calm and level headed and not over emotional and fearful. A calm mind indicates that one is trusting in God and able to pray by faith as he waits for His coming.

My Thoughts on Minneapolis Media

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

For a long time, I have been commenting on the New Testament book of 1^st and 2^nd Peter. But today I have an urge to talk a bit about what’s been happening in my state of Minnesota. Many would say it’s a mess, or a tragedy. I don’t know what everybody’s saying, but I do watch the news. Our governor and our mayor wants ICE out! And all the TV media seems to be slanted that way too. But when I go to church, what they say is just the opposite. And our President and his people think ICE is doing a good job—rounding up so many bad guys in this country, even in Minnesota.

Okay, what caused me to write this blog was what I heard about Paul Allen, a Minnesota sports commentator. He just recently, jokingly said on his regular KAFAN radio show, something like, “I wonder if the ICE protesters are getting paid more for going out in this cold weather.” I don’t have a copy of that newspaper, but I remember that everyone in that radio station was shocked by his comment. They couldn’t believe that he actually thought some of the ICE protestors were paid. Or maybe they were shocked that he was revealing what he thought—because after all, a left-wing radio station would never reveal those secrets. Well, what really hurt me was what Paul Allen did next. He cried like a baby and profusely apologized for what He said. Why? I thought. If he really believed what He said, why apologize? After all, I think most people know that many of the protestors are paid. People aren’t that stupid. Or maybe they are, or just blind. But of course, we all know that Paul needs to keep his job, so he did what most people would do. But it is sad.

Okay, let me say more about our Minneapolis media concerning ICE. They are either all left-wing Democrats, or they are simply told what to say, or both. I thought news people were suppose to just report the news. It sure seems that they are all against ICE and want them out! That they are doing more damage than good. They seem to ignore the clear statistics that since ICE came murders and crime are way down—all over the country.

I realize, and we should all realize that police work is hard and things go wrong. Fighting crime isn’t easy. It’s a war out there, and people will get hurt and killed. Maybe even some good people. But you don’t just quit and go home because some things go wrong. You keep at it. I think on the whole ICE is doing a good job—especially because of the difficult circumstances they are facing, having to contend with all the protestors, even paid ones! Professional protestors! And there was many of those that were working at the Jan. 6^th Capitol riot. People should know that!

Okay, I guess I’m done venting on this subject. Stay tuned for more.

Receiving the Gospel

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:6

6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Here Peter is speaking to all those who have died (before this letter). He is saying that if they heard the preaching of the gospel and accepted it, they will live for eternity in the Spirit.

Surprised at Your Faith

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:4-5

4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Any time a believer who is living by faith mixes with non-believers, they will be surprised at his different lifestyle—that he does not indulge himself (in words or actions) as they do. Most of them think it is odd behavior. But a suppose some, secretly, wish they could be as he is. Peter gives this warning: that all will give an account to God for what they do (Rev. 20:11-15).

It is Time to Stop Your Worldliness

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:3

3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

Peter is saying to his readers that they have had enough evil in their lives (the things listed); that it is time now to live to please God and do His will.

Put on the Armor of Christ

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:1-2

1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Here the suffering of Christ in the flesh (His body) is death on the cross. If we arm ourselves with the same mind (or purpose), we are putting on the armor of that attitude of Christ’s readiness to die. Hence, if we have on that armor we are, in a sense, dead to the world of sin.[1]

More basically, as a Christian our old self (old man) was crucified with Christ; and so, we are free from the slavery of sin (Rom. 6:6-7); hence we should consider ourselves to be dead to sin (1 Pet. 4:1) and alive to God in Christ (Rom. 6:11), having a new nature.

The problem for Christians is that we can’t keep our armor on! We must in our prayers put off (put to death) sin in our mortal (earthly) body (Rom. 6:12) and put on the new man, which is to live by faith in the Son of God (Gal. 2:20).

Jesus Christ is Now in Heaven

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 3:22

22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Jesus Christ is now in heaven seated at the right hand of God, and all the angels and authorities are bowing down to Him. He triumphed over death and over all evil; He ascended into heaven, to a place of great honor; and we too who believe will have this great privilege and adventure.

Baptism Saves You

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 3: 21

21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Eight people were saved from the flood (v. 20). This is a picture of “baptism” (our salvation from sin and judgment by the power of Christ’s resurrection).

Hence, their salvation from the flood waters is symbolic of Christ’s resurrection—and ours: the flood waters being God’s judgment on sin; and the ark of safety being our salvation from judgment through His death and resurrection.

Baptism (the symbol of our salvation) involves “an appeal to God for a good conscience”—or to have our sins removed from us. When those eight persons decided to get into the ark they were trusting God to save them. In our day, we must begin our road to salvation with an appeal to God (our prayer) that He will remove all sins and save us. That appeal is our faith that through His resurrection power we will be saved, escaping judgment.