Fresh Start Ministries

10/03/2026

08/19/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: We're talking about "Works of The Flesh." The last prominent sin we're going to talk about is, "Are you obeying the Great Commission?" Mark 16:15-18, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. v. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. v. 17 And these signs shall follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; v. 18 They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover." Matt. 28:19 & 20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. v. 20 Teaching them to observe things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Amen!" We can't just hear the word and say, "Yes." We have to DO more than that according to James 1:22-25. v. 22 But be DOERS of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. v. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a DOER, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; v. 24 For he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. v. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it is not a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." Col. 3:23, "And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men." Jesus also said in Matt. 7:24-26, v. 24 "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the ROCK; v. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand;" If you are a Christian, you will be fulfilling the Great Commission, not just sitting back and expecting someone else to do it. God has called each and every believer to GO!!

08/12/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: Studying, "Works of The Flesh." The seventh prominent sin in the world today is, "Do You Love Your Enemies?" Do you treat people the way you want to be treated? Do you talk about people behind their backs, negatively, putting them down, laughing at them, telling all their bad habits, etc.? So, what is considered an/your enemy? Someone you have disagreements with? Someone you don't get along with? Someone who talks about you behind your back or spreads rumors about you? Someone who hates you? This could be a stranger, a friend, a co-worker, a spouse, a neighbor, etc. Webster's definition of enemy: One that is antagonistic (hostil) to another. One seeking to injure; overthrow or confound an opponent. Something harmful or deadly. Jesus said in Matt. 5:44, "But I say to you love your enemies, BLESS those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. v. 46 But if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" Do you judge them? Matt. 7:1 says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. v. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. v. 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets." We can, though, make righteous judgments. Luke 6:31, "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. v. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. v. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. v. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. v. 35 But love your enemies, do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the most high, for He is kind to the unthankful and evil. v. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." Gal. 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as I have loved you!" We'll continue next week. See less

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08/06/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: Our study has been, "Works of the Flesh." We've talked about three that are prominent in the world today, and even amongst Christians. Number four is, Do you honor your Father and Mother? God, in Matt. 15:4, commanded, saying, "Honor your Father and your Mother; and, he who curses Father or Mother, let him be put to death." (under the old testament). v. 5 But I say whoever says to his father or mother, whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God." v. 6 Then he need not honor his Father and Mother (then you no longer let him do anything for his Father or Mother) (Mark 7:13--thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. v7 Hypocrite! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you... Deut 5:16 the commandment reads. "Honor your Father and Mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.". Ex. 21:15 & 17, "He who strikes his Father or Mother shall surely be put to death. v. 17 and he who curses his Father or Mother shall surely be put to death..." It's a serious sin when you don't honor your parents. 1) They were put to death for several things mentioned, where they didn't honor their parents. Children today are abusing their parents in many ways, one being they punch (slap) them, kill them, curse them, etc. You are on dangerous ground with God the Father! The fifth sin is Murder. You can kill someone with your mouth just as you can with a weapon. Matt. 15:19 says, Jesus speaking, "For out of the HEART proceed evil thoughts, murder,....." Gal. 5:19 says, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, murder...v. 21 That those who PRACTICE such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. v. 24 We crucify the flesh with its passions and desires if we belong to God. Or, I should say, we are suppose to. The sixth prominent sin is tempting people to do things that are evil, against God's word. Have you dared or tested someone to steal something, thinking it's no big deal what they are taking? Gangs do this! Do you test/dare people to use the Lord's Name in vain? Matt. 18:6, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he be drowned in the detph of the sea (Jesus speaking). Do you tempt God? If you do this...or give me that, I'll do this or give you that? Jesus had a response, "It is written again, you shall not tempt (test) the Lord your God." We'll conintue next week.

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07/29/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: We've been talking about, "Works of the Flesh." Going on to our third prominent sin, lying and false witness. Lying is to deceive, intentionally untrue, tending to mislead, false. Ex. 20:16 says, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." Rom. 2:13 says, "For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the DOERS of the law will be justified. When we hear the word, or commandments of God we have to be a doer of it, not just hear it. Just means--Integrity of character--moral values, soundness, God's character. That's what we are to be changing, daily, into. The character of God. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." There is no such thing as a "white lie." When we give our word to someone, we need to keep it. Ecc. 5:4 & 5 says, "When you make a vow to God do not delay to pay it, for He has NO PLEASURE IN FOOLS. Pay what you have vowed. v. 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay (do it). Deut. 23:21-23 says, "When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. v.22 But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. v. 23 That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you VOLUNTARILY vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth." Psalms 15:4 ..."He who swears to his own hurt and does not change." There are consequences to you not keeping what you say. Acts 5:3-5 is a prime example of Ananias and Sapphira with their possession of land. They kept back part of the money. Peter asked Ananias in v. 3 "Why has satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the sprice of the land for yourself? v. 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." So don't say, "I didn't say to God, directly, that I would/did this or that. When you lie to people, you lie to God. Consequences: They both dropped down dead. Col. 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds!" Say this prayer for help--Psalm 141:3--"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. v. 4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing. To PRACTICE wicked works...." Be very, very careful what kind of oath you are giving to people. Don't make vows you don't want to have to keep. We'll continue next week.

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07/22/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: Continuing on with, "Works of the Flesh." Last week we saw the gods of Egypt. In God's commandment found in Ex. 20:3-5, God said, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image 1) in heaven above 2) that is in the earth beneath or 3) that is in the water under the earth." Egypt had a god from all three of these groups. God Almighty showed who was the TRUE GOD when He was triumphant over every one of their gods. You would think after God showed His mighty power over the gods of Egypt, that the children of Isreal would be loyal to God the Father. In Ex. 32:1, because Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god that shall go before us, for as this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." Aaron molds a calf and the children of Isreal said, "This is our god, o Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt." Aaron even builds an altar before it. 1) They offered burnt offerings up to it and 2) they brought peace offerings to it. God wanted to consume (destroy) them. Moses pleaded for them. The Lord relented from the harm. Moses burned the calf and ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the children of Isreal drink it. The children of Israel got impatient waiting for Moses to return. We get impatient waiting for God to answer so we take things in our own hands, like the children of Isreal did. What do we take as a substitute for God? What do we get involved with that takes our time? There are so many things drawing us away from fellowshipping with the Father. Phones, computers, jobs, games, television, friends, sports, etc. People get addicted to things and it overtakes them. Then we make excuses of why we're doing what we are doing. It becomes a god. What are we worshipping more than God because we can't see Him, or hear from Him when we think we should? Deut. 4:15-19, the children of Isreal were told by God to, "Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire. v. 16 Lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of ANY figure (object); I Corn. 10:14--Therefore, My beloved, flee from idolatry! We'll continue next week.

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07/15/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: We're studying "Works of the Flesh." Our next prominent work of the flesh is idolatry. This is the worship of idols. Worship means--admiration or devotion to an OBJECT of esteem. Idol is symbol of an object of worship--a false god--imposter, an object of extreme devotion. We know God gave a commandment in Ex. 20:3-5 which says, "You shall have no other gods before Me." v. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image---1) in heaven above, 2) that is in the earth beneath or 3) that is in the water under the earth. v. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve (worship) them for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who hate Me. (this was under the Old Testament--it's not carried down anymore. Everyone is responsible for their own sins.) We're going to look at the 10 plagues of Egypt and see what they mean. The number ten represents a fullness of quantity. Ten Egyptian Plagues means completely plagued. Just as the 10 commandments become symbolic of the fullness of the moral law of God. In Ex. 7:19, the first plague was waters of Egypt, streams, rivers, ponds became pools of blood. Their god Hapi and Osiris were god's of the Nile. Second plague in Ex. 8:2--river brings forth frogs. Heget or Heket were Egyptian god of fertility. Third plague in Ex. 8:16, dust becomes lice. Geb--god of the earth (over dust of the earth). Fourth plague in Ex. 8:24--swam of flies--Khepri--Egyptian god of creation, movement of the sun--rebirth--had the head of a fly. Fifth plague in Ex. 8:5---Livestock of Egypt died but not Israels. Apis--god of the livestock. Hathor--Egyptians goddess of love and protection--had a head of a crow. Sixth plague: Ex. 9:8--ashes from furnace scattered in heaven caused boils to break out on man and beasts. Isis--god of medicine and peace. Seventh plague---Ex. 9:22--Hail on the earth--Nut--goddess of the sky. Eighth plague in Ex. 10:13--Eastwind brought locusts. Seth--god of storms and disorder. Nineth plague. Ex. 10:21--Darkness over all of Egypt. Ra--the sun god and 10th plague all the firstborn of the Egyptians and beasts died. Pharoah--the ultimate power of Egypt. He was worshipped by the Egyptians because he was considered to be the greatest god of all. It was believed that he was actually the son of Ra himself, manifest in the flesh. We'll continue next week.

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07/08/2026

Box of Chocolates Gathering: We're talking about "Works of The Flesh." Last week we started talking/discussing adultery/fornication. One example of consequences of disobeying God's command is found with David and Bathsheba. II Sam. 11:1-17, Bathsheba gets pregnant by David. God said, "Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives. v. 14 However, because by deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." David looked at Bathsheba to lust after her. Matt. 5:28 says, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus said you could divorce for ONE reason. Matt. 19:9, "And I (Jesus) say to you, whoever divorces his wife, EXCEPT for sexual immortality and marries another commits adultery and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." You can also commit adultery against God. The children of Isreal, in the Old Testament, did as we see in Jeremiah 3:8 & 10. v. 8 Then I (God) saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery. I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. v. 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turn to me with her whole heart, but in PRETENSE, says the Lord. God knows your heart. You're not fooling Him. We'll discuss the next prominent sin next week.

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07/01/2026

Box of Chocolates Gathering: We're discussing, "Works of the Flesh." We saw last week that if you are born again, we NO LONGER fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We live according to the Spirit--Word of God. We set our MINDS on the things of God not the things of the flesh. We make NO ROOM, no provision, for the flesh and its desires. We do not let sin reign in our mortal body. There are eight sins, Christians should not be doing, that we are going to discuss that are prominent in the world today. The first one is adultery/fornication. Adultery is voluntary sexual in*******se between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband. Rom. 7:23 says, A woman is bound to her husband as long as HE LIVES. If he dies, she can remarry. If she remarries another while her husband is still alive, she will be called an adulteress. Fornication is consensual sexual in*******se between two persons not married to each other. Ex. 20:14 says, "You shall NOT commit adultery." It's a command from the Father. In Lev. 20:10-13, under the Old Testament, anyone who committed adultery was put to death, both parties--1) Man with woman 2) Man with Father's wife 3) Man with daughter-in-law 4) Man and man 5) Man and animal or woman with animal 6) Man with sister 7) Man with Uncle's wife 😎 Man with brother's wife, etc. Prov. 6:32 says, "Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks UNDERSTANDING." He who does so destroys his own soul. We'll continue next week.

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06/28/2026

Box of Chocolate Gathering: We've started a new topic, "Works of the Flesh." Gal. 5:19 says, "Now the works of the flesh are evident." We're going to talk about eight works of the flesh that are prominent in the world today, even some Christians practice these. II Corn. 5:16 & 17--works of the flesh--the old man. v. 16 Therefore, from now on we regard no man according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we now Him no longer. v. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS have passed away; behold, ALL things have become new. Rom. 8:1, 5, 8, 10 & 13 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who DO NOT walk (live) according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. v. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. v. 8 So then, those who are IN THE FLESH CANNOT please God. v. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is life because of righteousness. v. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Don't resurrect the old man (fleshly desires). Why--Rom. 8:7, "Because the carnal (fleshly) MIND is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." Gal. 5:17, "The flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Gal. 5:24 & 25, "And those who are Christ's (the anointed one) have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. v. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Rom. 13:14--But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make NO PROVISION for the flesh, to fulfill its lust." Rom. 6:12, 14, 15, 18 & 22, "Therefore DO NOT let sin reign in your mortal body, that you (choice) should obey it in its lust. v. 14 For sin SHALL NOT have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." So the saying, "We sin every day" is absolutely not true unless you choose to sin. v. 15 What then, shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not! v. 18 And having been SET FREE FROM SIN, you became slaves to righteousness. v22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness and the end everlasting life. We'll continue next week.

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