Steven Garofalo
News • Spirituality/Belief • Education
Steven Garofalo, M.A. Apologetics is president and founder of ReasonForTruth.Org and EquippedAcademy.Com. His mission is to help you not just survive, but to thrive by cutting through the distortion of current events with discernment, wisdom, and the truth of God-to encourage, educate and prepare you for what is, and what is at hand. www.ReasonForTruth.Org www.EquippedAcademy.Com
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Welcome To My Locals Community!

Welcome to my community-Locals channel. Please sign up at no cost or you can support us for only $5 per-month and receive exclusive posts, articles and exclusive videos in addition to early-commercial free access to my Reason For Truth audio podcasts which post twice weekly. You will also have access to the community in general and be able to participate in future live streams among other benefits. Thank you for checking us out. - Steven Garofalo

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SUNRISE

We had a great time with family and as always, it seems all the more clear that time stops for no one. Time with family not excluded. Blessings to all as we live out life and all God has called us to. I’m reminded of His beauty by this mornings sunrise as we head back to NC from MD…now it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree! Let’s make sure to enjoy God, family and one another daily…as each day…time stops for no one. :)-Steven

Luke 1:78-79 (ESV)
“because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us[a] from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79
"A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death's shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace"

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A HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE HEART

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. Many blessings

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One Of The Largest Organs In The USA…in Action (Sunday)
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IS MULTICULTURALISM GOOD? (PT1)

IS MULTICULTURALISM GOOD? America has been called “The Melting Pot” for all people, cultures and countries around the world. But is multiculturalism good? More importantly, is it biblical? In today's podcast I am going to show you the answer through reality and God's Word. In PART2, we will dig even deeper into God's Word to see what God says about the subject. The Scriptures makes clear that the gathering of many cultures in one place, or “multiculturalism” can be beautiful, but ONLY when under the Federal Headship of Jesus. Let’s jump into PT1!

IS MULTICULTURALISM GOOD? (PT1)
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DO MY BUSINESS UNTIL I COME!

Jesus said that He will but not immediately.
Today, I am going to show you that, as such, you and I are to serve God and others faithfully until He (Jesus) returns in bodily form-for He commanded in Luke 19-“Do my business till I come”. We have so many options for recreation in todays' world that we often forget that Jesus made clear for us to "DO MY BUSINESS TILL I COME". The Bible is clear as one reads through it that God gently, and sometimes not so gently, reminds us to tune up our thinking, worldview and priorities as we live out our daily lives. Today we will look at what Jesus said in Luke 19.

DO MY BUSINESS UNTIL I COME!
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TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT EXPLAINED BIBLICALLY

How is President Trump alive today? In this pre-released podcast, Steven will explain the attempted Trump assassination-biblically.

TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT EXPLAINED BIBLICALLY
FAMILY

Seeing Grandma V happy at 88 is a blessing in and of itself. All that matters to my mom…is God and family. It’s a beautiful thing full of love.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another." (John 13:35).

What Agape Means for Us

Agape love does not come naturally to us in our sinful state. However, it does come naturally to God and is an integral part of Him. By drawing closer to Him and experiencing His love, we can begin to understand what this real love means. Only through Him can we show and experience agape love.

What Agape Means in the Bible

To the Greeks, proper agape meant a general empathy or lovingkindness for all people. Though in the Bible, Christians are indeed expected to care for all in the name of Christ, Christianity took this a step further. Biblical writers used God as the standard for true agape.

Agape love, in the Bible, is love that comes from God. God’s love isn’t sentimental; it’s part of His character. God ...

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WHAT THE NAMES FOR GOD IN THE BIBLE?
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TIPS FOR KEEPING YOURSELF & HOME SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
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WHY ANXIETY?
By Steven Garofalo, December 6, 2024 (Copyright 2024)

God provides us quite a bit of wisdom in the Bible regarding stress, worry and anxiety. Today, through Matthew chapter 6, I am going to break down five specific points God's Word gives us as to WHY we ought not allow anxiety to overtake us. In the end, it's up to each one of us to trust in God and accept the true reason(s) for our anxiety. Let's get started.

Matthew tells us in 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Verse 25 seems makes to make a sweeping statement about our not be anxious about our life in general. In verses 27-34, Matthews gives FOUR more-specific commands about not being too anxious. Let's take a look.
 
1) "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life" (v.1).
2) "And which one of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (v.27).
3) "And why are you anxious about clothing?" (v.28).
4) "Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear"?
5) "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (v.34).
 
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Clinically or medically speaking, anxiety can be defined as: Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. It can cause fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and felling tire and depressed in some situations. This begs the question as to what the Bible says about anxiety.
 
The biblical words, "Do not worry" (Gk. Mercimnao) means do not be anxious. Anxious care is beyond our IMMEDIATE NEEDS. It is the direct opposite of carefulness, cautiousness, and faith. Therefore, even the poor are not to worry needlessly about what they should eat, drink, or wear. Generally speaking God is telling us through Matthew that we are not to worry about how we will exist regarding the basic needs of life (food, clothing, shelter, etc).
 
THE BOTTOM LINE is that we cannot add a single hour of our span of life by worrying. In fact but can actually shorten it. Each new day has it's own challenges and we must let each day's trouble be enough for that day and that day alone. This saying is like a proverb. 
 
IN CLOSING, THE QUESTIONS FOR ALL OF US SHOULD BE: 
"IS NOT LIFE MORE THAN FOOD AND THE BODY MORE THAN CLOTHING". This far reaching biblical statement indicates that our inner mental stability must come from the spirit of man and not from the outward physical provisions. Our inner strength, led by the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit is real, but most Christians do not rely on or take advantage of the "Helper-Holy Spirit". Furthermore, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that all too often, we tend to worry about the extra-luxury things in life before we worry about the basics like, food, clothing and shelter. In the end, to set one's heart upon material possessions or to worry about the lack of having (or loosing) them is to live in perpetual insecurity and to deprive one's self of the spiritual blessings of God. And it's the lack of God's spiritual blessings that cause us to be anxious.
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A TRUE LEADER
By Steven Garofalo, December 2, 2024 (Copyright 2024)

When we turn on the news, we are overrun by illustrations of leadership-both good and bad. We hear terms like “leading from behind” to “True leadership is this or that”. The problem is that when we get ten people in a room, we get ten different definitions for what leadership is. Today, I am going clear up the mystery around what true leadership is. I am going cut through all the worldly noise and clarify what true leadership is according to God, through His Word. Why God? Because God is the only supernatural, perfect, all good, and unmovable being. In other words, God doesn’t change as the Ultimate Standard for all things. And today we will look at what true leadership really is.

At one time or another all of us have experienced having a good boss and a bad one. One major reason for this lack of good leadership can be attributed to our culture becoming, generally speaking, void of biblical conviction, literacy, and orthodox Christian values. This has led a deficit of good leadership; a generation with very little if any idea as to what true ethical, biblical servant leadership is or supposed to be.

The begs the question as to what God’s Word tells us about leadership. In an effort to answer that question, let’s look at the Book of Matthew, chapter 5:25-28. The general setting is as follows:

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem with his twelve disciples and explained to them that that “the Son of Man” (speaking of Himself, Jesus) would be condemned to death and delivered to the Gentiles, mocked and flogged and then crucified and will be raised on the third day. 

For starters, the disciples did not fully comprehend what Jesus was saying at the time. As a result, the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, “kneeling before him she asked him a favor…”. What did she ask of Jesus? She asked Him to promising that her two sons “…sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom” (vs.21). 

Jesus kindly but firmly explained to her that she does not know what she is asking for, and that the Father makes that decision. Jesus goes on to explain to her that those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first in the kingdom of God. Jesus points out in verses 25-28, that the measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige but one of SERVICE or “SERVANT LEADERSHIP”. When you connect the dots of what Jesus is saying, it becomes clear that leadership are called to “servant leadership” and servant leadership is what defines or makes a great leader.

A true leader has a number of components, and I want to share with you four essential principles or components that define a true leadership. When these four principles are followed by those in authority, true success more often than not follows, and those people being led by the servant leader tend to rise to their fullest potential. So WHAT does define a true leadership? I have four bullet points to describe true servant leadership according to God through Matthew:

1) FIRST: A TRUE LEADER does NOT lord their authority over others. Jesus makes clear that the Gentiles lord and often abuse their power with those below their authority. This is wrong for the Gentiles to do so and absolutely unacceptable for the Jewish people to do this is the point Jesus is making. We the reader should take note of this.

2) SECOND: A TRUE LEADER is a “servant-leader” and as such is responsible for others. A true leader sees their self and their role as one committed to the organizational success and development of those they serve (those who report to that person). The greatest of leaders understands that “GREATNESS” is not ruling over others, but serving those they are responsible for.

3) THIRD: A TRUE LEADER is smart in that they put the needs of others, meaning those under them before himself or herself; understanding that in the end, to be first on earth is to be last in eternity. A true, authentic leader understands the true nature of leadership as servanthood. The true leaders sees the big picture as opposed the immediate gratification of the present moment.

4) FOURTH: LASTLY, A TRUE LEADER  who happens to be a person of faith in Jesus Christ is different than a leader of no faith, or one who has faith in any other religion or god(s) out side of the Christian faith. While it’s possible for a non-Christian to become a great leader, their success is predicated on whether they follow the biblical model for servant leadership or not. In the end it all boils down to the WHY one leads as a true servant leader that sets that leader apart. Matthew 20:28 shows us the Ultimate Standard for great/servant leadership in Matthew 20:28. This verse also tells us the “WHY”:

“…the Son of Man (Jesus) came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In other words Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader and paid the ultimate price-His bodily life.

ZOOMING OUT

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) says this:“25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

SO WHY WOULD GOD COME AS A SERVANT LEADER WHEN HE DOESN’T”T HAVE TO? WHAY ANSWER: HE CAME AS A “RANSOM FOR MANY”?

>>> Jesus as God himself did not see himself as some kind of a “boss” but rather as the Ultimate Servant Leader of the universe. The word “FOR” used in verse 28 is undebatable in that it means “IN THE PLACE OF”. Christ here clearly interprets the meaning of His sacrifice as a servant to or “IN PLACE OF” our having to face eternal damnation. Jesus came as the Ultimate Servant Leader as a substitution (payment for sin) for you, me and for people who will accept that as a free gift through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

IN CONCLUSION

From a Birds Eye view, verses 20-23 function as a a bridge connecting 20:1-18 with 20:29-34. Through this bridge it is made clear that God gives rewards on the basis of His grace (verses. 1-16) through the death of His son (vs. 17-19). We all, from time to time tend to jockey for rewards and status in life. If not careful, when void of true accountability, we can end up self-serving as opposed to living out our mission through true servant leadership as defined byJesus. 

Think about it. Jesus had already promised that the disciples would reign in the kingdom with Him (19:28). But James and John wanted a GUARANTEE that they would be the first among equals. Don’t we do the same type of thing from time to time? Before we get angry with James and John, let’s admit (if honest with ourselves) that in our carnal, sinful state, most of us would want the same in light of wanting a high seat in the kingdom of God. But Jesus says in verse 27 that the greatest among you, “SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT” or “HELPER” (v26). 

By authentically seeing yourself and living out your life as a SERVANT LEADER, you will begin to better develop as a godly leader. This does NOT mean that you or I will develop as a perfect person or perfect leader. It simply means that through “sanctification”, God’s grace and a teachable heart, that we will become better servant leaders, authentically lead by biblical principles and the power of the Holy Spirit. We will struggle in a good way with our own sin but that means that we are developing in Christ. When we get to heaven, we will have finally arrived in God’s glorification. For now, we struggle, develop, and strive to become better servant leaders.

FINALLY

It is true that a leader serves his organization by exercising authority and influence. But the TRUE SERVANT leader-one who satisfied Jesus’ job description, occasionally gets his hands dirty in the process of helping those who cannot reciprocate. Let’s remember that Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve us. 

If we are listening, watching and operating with a teachable heart, than this will provide us the supreme example of servant leadership. And this is God’s blueprint for TRUE SERVANT LEADERSHIP.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS
By Steven Garofalo, November 26, 2024 (Copyright 2024)

I was reading in Matthew 23 this morning, and issue and importance of “Faithfulness” came up. Let’s read:

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!" (Matthew 23:23-24)

It’s easy to read through or over the fact that God lists three things that over-religious people tend to skip over or ignore: JUSTICE, MERCY and “FAITHFULNESS”. Why do I make such a big deal about faithfulness? Because it’s becoming more and more rare that people, even within the church to be faithful people because they lack faithfulness. 

WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS? Merriam Webster Dictionary defines faithfulness as “Steadfast in affection or allegiance” LOYAL, a friend, Firm in adherence to PROMISES”.

The last one is the key. We make covenants which are promises. We give our word that we will do something, be there, or carry through with something…and then we don’t. 

My old boss made me promise twice that I would attend the funeral of his wife who was dying of MS. As a matter of facet, he called me back into his office to make me promise twice. I made the promise. She died a number of years later but I had already moved to Charlotte, NC. I flew back to Maryland and was the only person at the grave site that was not family. They were shocked and a bit uncomfortable. I told my past boss that I had given my word, made a promise, and I have to be faithful to fulfill that promise. I spent all of 6 hours there before going back to the airport, getting on an airplane and flying home.

He later told me, “You didn’t have to be there”. I told him, “Yes I did”. It’s OK to release someone of their promise, but if not released, a person must carry through with their promise.

And this is what it means to be FAITHFUL. I don't always get things right as an imperfect sinner, but keeping a promise is something I take very serious. Faithfully keeping up with friends of old is important as a “faithful” friend. Too many of of us today fail to appreciate friends of old and promises made to others. But, many of us do keep our word, keep our promises and appreciate friends of old. What matters most outside of God and others? As a result of being "faithful", we become better friends, more faithful people and to others. Most importantly, we are faithful to God who gave us this the command to be faithful in the first place. When we are faithful to God first we tend to naturally become faithful to others more naturally. Lastly, people will be drawn to your faith in Christ as the greatest witness. And this is what it means to be faithful.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? You tell me.-Steven

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