Author: John Page 13 of 156

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured he cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This is a bit of a different post, delayed slightly to align with a big announcement regarding my next steps forward in service to people, our great nation, and our remarkable Lord.

I am convinced that the Lord would have me to run for United States Senate from the great state of Maryland. I announced my candidacy publicly earlier today.

I intend to run this race with patience, mindful of the great cloud of witnesses who will be watching from near and far. I will also do so with the overwhelming intent of keeping my gaze firmly fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

The following will make up some of my primary tenants of focus:

• Support and Defend: When I was seventeen years old, I first raised my right hand and took a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I took that as a lifelong commitment, and intend to use the rest of my life to wrestle our nation back to where it belongs in accordance with those remarkable principles. We need a widespread revival of those principles to reignite the promise of the shining light of liberty.

• Leadership Not Politics. I am running to lead and intend to help spark a conservative movement in Maryland and beyond. We must break the shackles of inflation and even higher taxes, equip our children with the tools they need to succeed in the real world while putting parents back in charge, take back control of our crime-ridden streets, and reverse impotent leadership on the world stage.

• Collaborative Conservative: I am a strong conversative. I also realize that the real problems we face in our great nation require collaboration that focuses on our shared humanity and mutual interests to find real solutions for Marylanders and the American people.

PLUS will continue as it has for the last ten years, with occasional references to my current journey of faith and service. In order to fully track this journey, please see:

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Of course, I would be honored and humbled by your willingness to support me in prayers and through financial contributions.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I RUN THIS RACE OF FAITH AND SERVICE! Thank you!

• John Teichert

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured he cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

While I normally post PLUS thoughts on Saturday, I am delaying this one slightly until Monday to correspond with a big announcement regarding my next steps forward in service to people, our great nation, and our remarkable Lord.

Luke 13:31-34 “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”

Luke 18:31-34 “Then he took unto him the twelve and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”

Luke 22:41-42 “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

In the previous two posts of this mini-series, we honored three first-responders whose service caused them to pay the ultimate price on 9/11 – Police Office John Perry, Fire Chief Orio Palmer and EMT Yamel Merino. We also honored three Biblical heroes whose faithfulness caused them to surge forward into danger – David, Peter, and Paul. Their stories reflect bravery and courage, obedience and faithfulness. 

As impressive as they were, there is One whose acts of bravery, courage, obedience, and faithfulness dwarf them all – Jesus Christ!

On the road to Jerusalem, He knew of the sacrificial acts that He would be forced to endure. On the way into Jerusalem, He knew the details of His future mocking and scourging. On the eve of His crucifixion, He knew the weightiness of His responsibility in bearing the sins of the world.

Yet, He moved forward anyways into the danger! He did so out of a profound and powerful love for you and me.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO FULLY CONCEPTUALIZE THE AMAZING ACTS OF JESUS CHRIST. His love for us prompted service that ran towards danger!

Acts 14:19-22 ”And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Acts 5:27-29 “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

I Samuel 17:32-33 “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; they servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

In last week’s opener to this 3-part mini-series, we honored those whose service caused them to pay the ultimate price on 9/11 on the behalf of their communities and all of us. In doing so, we described heroes such as Police Officer John Perry, Fire Chief Orio Palmer, and EMT Yamel Merino. Each of them ran towards danger to serve others. Their stories reflect the bravery and courage of the 415 first responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

They are not alone. Heroes of the faith have similarly sprinted forward into imminent danger.

Among those was Paul. Though he had been stoned and left for dead by those in Lystra who had been enraged by his preaching, he was undeterred. He returned back to that city the same day, and continued preaching throughout the region. Tribulation did not stop him.

Also among those were Peter and the other disciples. They had been given clear direction from the authorities to “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18). They did so anyways, boldly proclaiming the preeminence of their Ultimate Authority.

Additional among those was David. Though young, he was willing to take a bold stand for the Lord that dwarfed the courage of the most seasoned soldiers in Saul’s army. His heart did not fail because he understood the righteousness of their cause.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO USE THE BRAVE ACTIONS OF OUR FOREFATHERS IN THE FAITH TO MOTIVATE US TO COURAGEOUSLY SERVE TODAY. After all, there is a cause!

John 15:11-13 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Matthew 20:26-28 “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

This week marks the 22^nd anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11. As a result, please consider the 3-part mini-series that follows as a way to honor those whose service prompted them to run towards danger.

Nearly 3,000 people perished on that September day. Among them were 415 first responders – firefighters, police offices, EMTs and paramedics. Their courageous acts on that day in rushing to the aid of those who were facing perilous danger helped save over 25,000 people.

Among those was Police Officer John Perry, who had plans to attend law school at NYU. This gifted man was in the midst of turning in his retirement papers and handing in his badge when he answered the call to rush to lower Manhattan. He was last seen helping a lady out of the South Tower, using his abundant gifts to minister to others!

Also among those was Fire Chief Orio Palmer, an esteemed firefighter known for his athletic prowess and bold leadership in high-rise fires. His last radio call came from the 78^th floor of the South Tower – he and his crew were knocking down fires at that location. He was truly a chief among us!

Additionally among those was EMT Yamel Merino. Though young, she was a highly decorated professional who exhibited a positive attitude and a stunning compassion for others. She last seen aiding evacuees at the base of the South Tower when it collapsed. She loved her neighbor as herself!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO USE THE BRAVE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THEIR SERVICE ON 9/11 TO MOTIVATE US TO SERVE FAITHFULLY TODAY. May we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.