Today the Smiths take a quick break from their study in the Book of Revelation to bring you an extra special edition of Indigenous Faith, where the interviewers become the interviewee's. The Smiths were invited to be guests on the Christian radio program, Jesus is Asking Are You Listening, hosted by Steve and Christy Keist. For many years this program has aired across America and their audience stretches from coast to coast. The Keist's interview the Smiths about a number of topics including both personal and ministry related issues. The Smiths reveal more about their personal lives than ever before, so if you want to know more about their love lives and how the met, and the impact the Miracle at Mile Marker 313 affected both their personal and ministry lives, then this is the episode for you. It's an interesting turn of events where the Smiths sit on the other side of the interview table in this unique version of Indigenous Faith. Don't forget, they'll be right back next week in their continued study on the seven churches in Asia Minor, as they begin their study on the church in Pergamos. All interesting information that Jesus presents to John the Revelator in this critical book of Bible prophecy. Enjoy this week's edition, then we look forward to seeing you again next week, dear friends, as the Indigenous Faith Podcast keeps rolling on!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith complete their study on the words of Jesus Christ to the church in Pergamos. This church had both affirmation of things they were doing well and words of correction over things that they weren't doing well. Something that can easily be said of most churches around the world today! And it's all based upon the authority and clarity of the Word of God. This podcast is first and foremost, a promoter of biblical truth, and secondarily, those truths are supported by comment that Craig and LaDonna Smith offer from their nearly fifty-years of service to Christ and His church. The key word to Pergamos from the mouth of the Lord? Repent! But in saying that, the Lord reminds Pergamos that He understands the great challenges they face because they were in a community that was the hotbed of many pagan religions and demonic practices. It's hard sometimes to live a faithful life in that kind of community. The Lord understands, is compassionate to His people, but yet holds their spiritual feet to the fire when He calls them to repent. On the positive side, He reminds them that He offers His own what He calls, Hidden Manna, which is all about the infusion into the lives of His people of His divine power, His timeless doctrinal truths, and all that is the believer's inheritance which can be enjoyed today. That manna is also tied to His body shed on the cross for our sins, which we are called to remember on a regular basis until He comes again. That is done through the regular observance at the table of the Lord as we who are part of His church celebrates communion with other believers. Craig also explains the mystery of the white stone with a new name on it as the context of the culture of that day is clarified and presented in a way that helps us all understand what the meaning of this white stone is. All important context for believers today to understand what the Lord is saying to these seven churches along the well traveled roads of Asia Minor, as the Smiths continue their study in eschatology on Indigenous Faith. Their next stop on this tour is the city of Thyatira. We'll visit there soon on an upcoming episode of Indigenous Faith! See you then!

In this, the second part of the Smith's review of Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, they cover the admonitions of the Lord to the church in Pergamos. It was a city given over to a multitude of pagan religions, with shrines built all over the 1,000 foot high hill the city was built around. The inevitable result was many chose to bring their old pagan faith and rituals into their new found faith in Christ, thus resulting in blatant paganism, which, as the Lord stated to them, Nevertheless I have somethings against you...The Lord will never be supportive of that kind of faith and practice for His followers. In fact, the Smiths remind us all of the words Joshua of old told the Israelites when they were trying to do the same...He said, Choose you this day whom you will serve! And then he listed the three options that are still the options for us today. First, choose the gods of our ancestors (old tribal religion and spirituality), second, the gods in the land we are living in (modern paganism of modern America), including Old Testament Molech and Chemosh worship (modern day abortion practices), and even following the god of drunkenness, which was named Bacchus. Remember, God will not share His glory with anyone else, and especially, the gods of the many pagan religions established by nations around the world. This church, amidst that challenge, also had its heroes, who stood up to paganism and boldly worshipped Christ and Christ alone. It's a church that reminds the Smiths of many churches today around the world. On thing is certain, It is only the Lord, Himself, who will righteously and rightly sort out the good from the bad, all because of what He held in His mouth - the Word of God! That's the standard all of us will be evaluated by on Judgement Day. The Smiths hope and trust you are ready to meet the Judge of all the earth, who, as Genesis says, will do right! The time is now to get right with God, repent of sin, and turn your life over to Him!