If you are reading the papers or listening to the news you must realize there is a tremendous amount of pessimism surrounding us. We are told the world banks are going to crash and we are headed for a world depression. Reports indicate our economy is slowing down headed for another recession. Because so much money is being printed some think we are headed for inflation as we witnessed in the 1970s. We are told to stay away from the dollar because it is about to collapse. Others believe our government is taking us toward bankruptcy as a nation with our humongous deficits. Has it affected you? Are you worried and stressed out about your finances and your future? If not, you may not understand what is going on. Or, you may be one of those mature Christians that we read about in the Bible who trusts God to meet their needs. I am one of those who believe it is not as bad as some seem to think. I don’t believe we have reached the point that the world is about to collapse. Someday, just not yet! Whether I am right or wrong I am not worrying about it either way.

The more I have read and studied the Bible the more optimistic I have become. Some will tell me it could be because of my temperament that I am positive. Because there are some who are perfectionists that never seem to be positive. Nothing ever seems to be perfect enough for them. Many see the future as being rosy and others see it as being doom and gloom. Let me address the following to those who feel things are just not going well. You don’t sense peace and satisfaction in your life. Life just doesn’t seem to have purpose and direction for you. There are just too many things that are not right in your life and everything seems to be routine and boring. You may have few goals or dreams. You may feel lonely or rejected. Nothing really seems to be satisfying. At least you are not living that full, prosperous and peaceful life.

Have you ever wondered why many gamble? It could be because of a void in their life, something missing. They relish the excitement of winning. They believe winning will make them happy. When they win the excitement and happiness lasts for only a matter of time. It does not meet the satisfaction that they expected. It doesn’t fill the void. Extensive drinking may make a person feel better for a time. Is it an expense they can afford? Why do some use drugs; is it to fill that feeling of emptiness in their life? Some feel so lonely, rejected and life is so unfulfilling that they commit suicide. We can’t look at a person and tell just how devastated they may feel.

Christians realize that peace and satisfaction comes from accepting Christ and learning to live by the teachings of the Bible. Becoming a mature Christian is when we realize the love God has for us and we find that same unconditional love toward others. One thing I found was a willingness to share with others. The greatest thing we can all share is the gospel. What would most people give to have a life that is full, prosperous to the point that their needs are met and no matter what happens there is always peace in their lives? So how is that obtained?

Let us assume that you have been shooting basketballs daily from the age of 6 to 18. You have become so good you seldom miss. You send a DVD to a college coach showing, no matter from where you shoot, it goes in and you would like a scholarship. They ask you to try out. But you have never learned the rules or played a game. What would your chances be?

Many Christians have never learned the rules or put into practice what the Bible teaches. You may have attended church all of your life but even if you know some of the rules you have never really put them into practice. You may wonder why you are not prosperous or why isn’t there peace in your life? If you know the rules and put them into practice you realize there are a lot of things you really do not need. As a good steward you would always earn more money than you spend. How much money do you need to feel prosperous? Could it depend on how much you trust God to meet your needs?

If you have a purpose in life and know the direction you are going, you feel loved and accepted by God, you sense that people realize that you are an achiever; that can make your life full, satisfied and peaceful. Allow God to fill that void and it doesn’t take the things of the world to make a person feel complete.

God wants every one of us to live by His rules because they are able to provide what is missing in every non-believers heart. He also knows that if we reach a spiritual understanding and spread it to others everywhere, it will make life as He has always wanted for everyone He has created.

Philippians 2:1 – 5 – “ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”

All through the New Testament one word stands out and that is HOPE. I wonder how many realize how great of a motivator that can be. I have never watched a Reality TV show. I have read material and heard reports on TV. I believe people will do about anything for money and fame. Ask professional athletes how hard they train in order to become their very best. Many have goals to be the best, earn millions of dollars and enter the “Hall of Fame”. One thing you will find common in each one of these individuals is their hope to be a winner. With that hope they will spend many hours each day training to perfect their abilities.

Having participated in sports in high school and college I have a very good idea what it takes to excel. The majority of us were just not willing to pay the price necessary to become all-stars. After so much practice training is no longer fun and enjoyable, just grueling to the point of exhaustion. It takes a lot of hours, energy and determination. Having coached in high school there were very few willing to put in the extra time and effort to get extremely better. Most young athletes have no long-term plans or goals, just dreams. They do not understand or are unwilling to train to become a professional.

The apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:25 – “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

I don’t remember how long I had been a Christian until I realized the importance of living with God and Jesus for eternity. My hope was to be with Christ when He returns to rule the world for those 1000 years. Another hope was to be in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I then realized that the Bible teaches grace is all it takes to be in that Book. However, Scripture kept insisting that I needed more than just accepting.

I Timothy 4:7 – “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” II Timothy 3:16 & 17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I was to train myself to be godly and righteous. Being holy meant to be set apart by God doing His services and acting responsibly. Being righteous was to be held accountable to God’s laws and standards. I was to treat people faultlessly and above reproach. There would come a time I would be with Christ throughout eternity. I could even receive a crown that would last forever. Does that mean what I do on earth makes a difference when I get to heaven? It doesn’t mean I am to work my way to heaven but I am to prepare myself for heaven.

Most of us realize there are prep-schools. They are instructing those in attendance as to what it will take to excel at the next level. We need to begin preparing. I knew I needed to be tested by God, approved and that God could trust me. I had to live in such a way that I was pleasing God according to Scripture. Are we living to please people or ourselves? Yes! But what is really important is: are we living to please God?

This has been a hope of mine: that I would be prepared to excel at the next level (heaven). I realize that many people are not interested in playing the game. As long as they can sit in the grandstand and watch the players, that is good enough for them. I want to be a player. Then what does that entail? First, you must learn the rules. You must exercise and get physically and mentally fit. In most games you must learn the plays and the game’s strategy. How well you learn and prepare depends on whether you get cut from the team, sit on the bench or become a starter. Have you ever watched a person play a game who didn’t know the rules? I don’t need to be in God’s Hall of Fame but my hope is to make His team.

Why will some Christians become workaholics to earn a living, get a promotion or earn big bucks; yet, spend little time reading their Bibles, studying the Word and preparing themselves for the “next level”? Are they training to become godly or righteous? What is more important 80 to 90 years on this earth or 1000 years with Christ? My greatest “hope” is to be able to spend those years with Christ prepared to accept whatever responsibility I am offered. Apparently what I am willing to do while on this earth will make a differences later on. At least that is how I interpret the Bible.

Hebrews 6:10 & 11 – “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.”

A neighbor, who worked with my step-father, was very close friends of our family. They lived a few doors from us and they visited often to play cards. His wife was able to foresee the future. She would tell my mother what was going to happen and it did. I could relate a number of examples. It was just plain spooky how accurate she was! I am completely convinced that there are psychics that can tell the future. I believe it may be of the devil. One thing I believe: the devil or anyone else, other than God, can tell our future unless we allow it. And neither can you be hypnotized unless you allow it. Scripture teaches we must not allow anyone to tell our future as it is not pleasing to God. There are people who can prophesize and I believe that comes from God. If some humans can see into the future, God knows from the very beginning who will be in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

I Peter 1:1 & 2a – “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,”

Many believe that you cannot be saved unless God chooses you. Yet, Scripture tells us that God wants everyone to accept Christ as their Savior. How do we explain the “elect” or God’s foreknowledge? If God knows prior to a person’s birth who will become a Christian, then is it He who chooses or the individual who He knows will not accept? We are also told that there will be no excuses not to accept God. Therefore, should we not conclude that everyone will be given the opportunity to accept but most will refuse? Is it difficult to understand God chooses only those who He foreknows will accept and they become the elect?

Deuteronomy 7:6 – 11 – “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction;
he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.”

Christians, as God’s new chosen ones, were also given rules to live by and in most cases similar to the requirements that were given to the Jews who refused to be obedient and rejected God. I Thessalonians 4:8 – “Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

1. We are to live according to God’s Will and live to please Him.
2. We are to fulfill the purpose we were put on this earth to do.
3. We are to be responsible and accountable by living a life of service.
4. We are to share the gospel with everyone. Israel had been unwilling to spread God’s Word.
5. We are to actively witness for Christ.

These are just examples to show that what the Israelites were unwilling to do Christians have been given the mission. Christ came to confirm what God expected.

There is a term called “The doctrine of election”. God gives salvation to whomever He pleases. For example, God chose Abraham and his descendants as His special people. He then indicated that the earth will be blessed through Abraham’s people. They were given land, they received His Word and were to convey that Word to the entire world. God knew, before He chose them, they would be a disobedient nation and fail to present His Word to the world. John 4:9 – “The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jews would not associate with most gentiles. How could God spread His Word without human help? Therefore, He sent His Son to establish a New Covenant in which followers of Christ would spiritually change the world by spreading God’s message of grace.

This is why we have sent missionaries throughout the world to accomplish what others were unwilling to do. The supernatural experiences many of these missionaries have, has confirmed that this is what God has expected of Christians. But there were times when Christians stopped spreading the world. The vacuum allowed the spread of pagan religions. If Christians refuse to spread the Word, the devil will fill the gap.

Don’t ever think God doesn’t know who we are and what we are doing every minute. Is God seeing us focused on the world and ourselves or on Christ and eternity?

Louise and John have been married for nine years. They have a daughter Kathy who is seven. They both have careers and doing well financially. Each came from Christian families and attend church on regular bases. John is addicted to sports and plays golf most Saturdays with his friends. Like many guys he is somewhat self-centered and the marriage centers on him.

Louise works with Jim who has invited her out to lunch a couple of times to talk about business. They spend some time at work discussing work problems and occasionally personal problems. Jim seems to give her more attention than her husband. After a period of time Jim tells Louise he would like to show her his garden and give her some vegetables to take home. This seems rather innocent. She stops by and things get out of hand. She begins to occasionally stop by and rationalizes that she is getting more attention from Jim than she is getting at home. Jim’s friend at works asks what is going on between Louise and him. In confidence, Jim confesses that they are having an affair. Shortly, the gossip at work is about Louise and Jim’s affair. A friend of Louise’s husband John lets him in on the secret relationship. Draw your own conclusion as to how the story ends.

Do you think Louise would have ever allowed what developed if she knew what the consequence would be? There is no adult that is never tempted. I Corinthians 10:13 & 14 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

There is a difference between trials and temptation. God allows trials to build up our faith, trust or preparing us for something great later on. Temptations come from our bodies, the devil or the world. Temptation is not a sin. Yielding to it is. Many know that our spirit and soul may have been saved but we are living in an unsaved (so to speak) body. It is a body that houses the spirit and soul but is self-centered, lustful and full of pride. The Bible calls it man’s carnal nature. Scripture tells us we can walk in the flesh or walk in the spirit. If we walk in the flesh we may be easily tempted. If we walk in the spirit our chances of yielding to temptation lessens significantly. Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

What are things that cause Christians to be tempted? It could be homes, cars, jewelry, finances, fashions, alcohol, drugs or anything that might separate us from God. Temptation starts with thinking about something that sounds exciting. We may fantasize or start imagining what it would be like if we had it. The more we ponder the greater is the desire. I then must choose. If I buy that more expensive car I will have to cut back on my tithing. I am going ahead. God will forgive me.

Philippians 2:3 & 4 – “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”

Sin is when I yield and never took time to figure out what the consequence might be if I make this decision. However, if I allow my attitude to become more Christ-like, normally I will make the right decision. We can walk in the spirit. I have been privileged to see many times supernatural events and miracles take place. We all make mistakes. But we do not have to deliberately make a mistake for a selfish desire. If you love someone enough you will want to please them. This is how we should feel about our relationship with God.

We must ask ourselves what tempts us the most? Are there certain times we are more tempted? What must I do to keep from being tempted? Ask God if you make this choice will it displease Him? If the answer is yes you probably shouldn’t do it.

A Wall St. Journal, IBD and an Associated Press news story tells President Obama opened talks with Mideast leaders this Thursday morning September 2. Is Hurricane Earl waiting off the coast to see how Israel is treated? President Obama is quoted as saying: “I am hopeful, cautiously hopeful, but hopeful.” Gathered in the White House our president is meeting with the heads from Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinians. As Hurricane Earl was approaching the East Coast I wondered if this had anything to do with the meeting taking place at the White House.

If you have been following my blogs I have written: “Worst hurricane season in American history could be possible.” It contained a book review of: “As America has done to Israel”. It pointed out that beginning with President H. W. Bush requiring Israel to give up their covenant land for peace; the “Perfect Storm” hit America. On October 30, 1991 the day he made his requirement the storm went 1000 miles the wrong way and 30 foot waves hit his home at Kennebunkport, Maine and it was heavily damaged. From then on each time our presidents made the same requirement a natural disaster would occur that same day or within days. These occurrences were based on Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you.”

President Obama practically ignored Prime Minister Netanyahu in March 2010 and later the oil began spurting out off the coast of Louisiana. As our Bible study group met we believed we may be able to determine how the meeting develops with these heads of state based on the degree of damage that Hurricane Earl causes. After our Thursday’s meeting was over and tonight as I am writing, the news states that an offshore oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico west of the April explosion. Do you believe God is giving wake up calls or are you skeptical of these disasters as having nothing to do with God’s promise of cursing those who deny Israel’s ownership of its covenant land? Mark 15:37 – 38 – “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” The curtain was in front of the Holy of Holies and separated God from sinful people. The religious leaders at Jesus’ death did not connect the two either.

Zechariah 12:9 – 10 – “For on that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.” (NLT)

It is reported that these heads of state had dinner together Wednesday evening. It was cordial as they talked about a Palestinian state besides a secure Israel. They began serious talks Thursday morning despite their differences. The Palestinians want covenant land as part of their negotiations. The previous Tuesday four Israelis were killed by the militant Hamas movement, which rejects Israel’s right to exist and opposes peace talks. The day before, Wednesday two people were injured as bullets were shot into their car as they were driving on the West Bank. How President Obama reacts and what his demands are on Israel may affect Hurricane Earl waiting off the east coast.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine has caused tremendous resentment in the Muslim world. Each side has had demands that the other is unwilling to accept. There is no way that Palestine’s Abbas’ administration and Hamas will ever agree. Israel will never accept giving up land as long as the Muslim nations are unwilling to make peace with Israel. Iran has stated numerous times that they plan to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The newspaper article stated: “We left Lebanon, we got terror. We left Gaza, we got terror. We want to ensure that territory we concede will not be turned into a third Iranian-sponsored terror enclave aimed at the heart of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

My prediction is that there will not be a peace treaty at this time based on my understanding of Scripture. If there is, it wouldn’t last more than months until nations would try to destroy Israel. There are just too many times in Scripture that God promises to protect Israel. I do not believe God will let it happen at this time; unless we are at the beginning of the Tribulation when the beast (Antichrist) moves into the Israeli Temple that is yet to be built. I believe too many things must occur prior to that happening.

II Thessalonians 2:3 & 4 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

Revelation 13:5 – 7 – “Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months (3½ years). And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (NLT)

Here is what the Palestinians want: They want to make East Jerusalem capital of their state. They want to be able to return to territories in Israel. Israel can no longer build on the West Bank. They must stop the blockage of Gaza. What we see are Israelis threatening to begin rebuilding on the West Bank. Hundreds of Palestinian protesters turned out to denounce the peace talks. Here is what President Obama is up against: The terrorist group Hamas controls Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Their charter and covenant calls for the destruction of Israel. Abbas is a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization and is determined to destroy Israel. The two, with America’s help, have tried to obtain peace in 1991,92,93,94,96,2000,01,03 and 05. A lot of talking but never peace. You may think I am being cynical. There will come a day when Israel will accept peace but this is not the time. Thus, President Obama and anyone believing peace will happen will be disappointed.

During the weekend Hurricane Earl kind of fizzled out. The oil rig that exploded didn’t seem to cause much damage. May we read from this that our president probably was more of a mediator than adamantly demanding Israel cedes covenant land? Like the three previous presidents I believe Obama will end up no better off making an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians than they did. I believe the only reason Israel has been protected is not because of their relationship with God. It is because of God’s original promise to Abraham and to prove the accuracy of the Bible.

There is a point of no return. When you are on a trip and have traveled more than half way it is better to go on than turn around. Are we at a point of no return when it comes to Christianity in America?

For the first time in the history of our country we no longer have a protestant on the Supreme Court. All Supreme Court judges are either Jewish or Catholic. Chances are President Obama will appoint two more judges to the court before his term ends in 2012. It appears we will be judged more by how they interpret the law rather than the letter of the law. We have a judicial system that has disregarded the constitution.

On August 13, President Obama speaking to a group of Muslims stated that he supported a Muslim Mosque to be built next to Ground Zero. The next day most Americans were extremely upset. He then started to quickly backtrack.

A recent Time poll indicates that 24% of those polled believe President Obama is a Muslim. The poll say 47% believe he is a Christian. We have been told that President Obama confided to the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit in a one-on-one meeting that he was Muslim. President Qaddafi of Libya in a recent speech more than 10 times stated that Obama was a Muslim brother. Many in the Muslim world believes he is a Muslim. He celebrated Ramadan with Muslims but refused to observe the “National Prayer Day”. He told the Muslim world that the United States was no longer a Christian nation. We do not know how accurate any of this is. But we need a leader, at this time, who will point to God to change people’s hearts. Not a leader that no one really knows what his religious beliefs really are.

It is very apparent that He is on the side of Israel’s enemies. In President Obama’s book “The Audacity of Hope” he said if the winds shifted against the Muslims, he would side with the Muslims. Yet he has stated that he is not a Muslim. He is a Christian. Read the following and you decide!

The following is an interview given by President Obama March 27, 2004. “I am a Christian. So, I have a deep faith. So I draw from the Christian faith. On the other hand, I was born in Hawaii where obviously there are a lot of Eastern influences. I lived in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, between the ages of six and 10. My father was from Kenya, and although he was probably most accurately labeled an agnostic, his father was Muslim. And I’d say, probably, intellectually I’ve drawn as much from Judaism as any other faith.”

“So, I’m rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people. That there are values that transcend race or culture, that move us forward, and there’s an obligation for all of us individually as well as collectively to take responsibility to make those values lived.”

“And so, part of my project in life was probably to spend the first 40 years of my life figuring out what I did believe – I’m 42 now – and it’s not that I had it all completely worked out, but I’m spending a lot of time now trying to apply what I believe and trying to live up to those values.”

If he is a Christian his beliefs appear different from many protestant evangelicals. But many religious progressive are not necessarily believers of the gospels as being 100% accurate. What about those from Westboro Baptist Church who call themselves Christians and protest at the funerals of deceased veterans? The definition of Christian covers many people of very differing beliefs.

I John 5:18 – 19 – “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

The whole world is under the control of the evil one. I believe there was a time when God kept us safe and the evil one could not harm America. Are we seeing the same thing happen to our country that happened to Israel when they had leaders who refused to be obedient to God? It was said that God told the Israelis if they want to live like the devil then go ahead.

Our country was established by Christian leaders who created a constitution based on Godly principles. We became the most blessed and powerful nation ever created. As a Christian you can see God’s intervention throughout history. Fifty years ago some in our country decided God’s ways were too restrictive. Today about twenty percent of our country is setting the standards for the other eighty percent. That small majority determined to control our schools, the media, the judicial system and politics. Is it too late for a part of that eighty percent to return to Christian principles and turn our nation around?

Christians throughout the U.S. are now praying that God intervenes and that He changes the hearts of our people. Can we get the Bible back in schools? Can we teach creation and not evolution? Can we find a John Wesley or a George Whitefield to lead a revival? Who is there that can take the place of Dr. Billy Graham?

If a small percentage can change our country to live the devil’s lifestyle why can’t we change our nation back to living by Christian principles: “do unto others as you would do unto them”? God promises He will not give up on us if we will worship Him and be committed, submissive and obedient to His Word. What kind of a country do we want to leave for our future generations? Isn’t it time we prayed in earnest and became involved in getting back to being a Christian nation which would please God?

Having taught the principles of sales there were two things I continually stressed. You must never over sell or promise more than you can deliver. First, qualify your customer. If they are looking for a lawn mower, ask: “How big is your lawn”? If they have a strip 15 x 25 they do not need a riding lawn mower. If you sell them a freezer don’t promise it will last a life-time and we can deliver the next day. The same is true of our Christian witness; don’t present ourselves more pious and holy than we are.

My concern is that we have a number of professing Christians who live worse examples than some very worldly folks. Being in a men’s Bible study group with men from other churches, we hear stories that makes one shake their head.

Matthew 7:15 – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Is this too strong to describe some who become a part of the Christian family and then do many of the things Christians know they should not be doing? They set a very pious example while they are with us but when church is over you see them living a very sinful lifestyle.

Galatians 5:17 – 21 – “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.   The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

When we say: “I know they are saved and a Christian”. Do we really know? Yet, we must be careful not to be judgmental. There is a tremendous difference between slipping and doing something that a person immediately regrets, repents and moves on and a person who is living the above lifestyle.

We all know members of our churches who, if they need too, will lie or deceive, get drunk, have fits of rage, cause dissensions, hate, cheat, are jealous and envy, commit adultery, have selfish ambition and want to sue anyone they can. It is not just once but it’s their lifestyle. You try to hold them accountable and it’s like talking to a wall. They may tell you how much they read their Bibles and they continually are telling people they will pray for them.

How does the world see their witness and especially new Christians? When Paul writes: “Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Believing this is what Christ taught. Doesn’t God have to keep His promise and not allow those who live like this to enter heaven? Seeing professing Christians living like this over a period of time how many may they have discouraged from accepting Christ as their Savior? Many watch how we live. We can either encourage or discourage others. We can live a positive life or project being negative and pessimistic about most things in general. How can a mature Christian be anything but positive? Otherwise, they may not trust God or have the faith necessary to accept what the Bible teaches applies to them.

I believe if you state you are a Christian don’t oversell your witness. I believe God will hold any person accountable for being holy on Sunday and living for the devil the other six days. We must be consistent every minute. That includes with our families as well as everywhere else. I have heard of Christian men treating their families like slaves. They then wonder why a child ended up in jail. Or, they refuse to ever attend church again once they become adults. I read in a recent Christian article that “only 10% of children raised in Christian homes now ever go to church”. Mom and Dad, what does that tell us about our Christian example?

I asked one of my Bible group men who has lived his entire life in Las Vegas: “How many kids that you grew up with and regularly attended church are now going to church?” His answer was: “None”! I asked our group why they believed this was happening. They suggested it may be we are living such a fast-pace-lifestyle that there are just too many things taking up our time. Both parents are working and their children’s time in School, study time, sports, dance lessons and other activities take up all of their time. There doesn’t seem to be any time left for God.

If we are going to call ourselves Christians then we must develop our minds to become like the mind of Christ. The benefits of living a holy life far outweigh the consequences of living a sinful life in wolf’s clothings. …..PS……

The above was Monday’s blog. However, Friday night I turned on TV’s Forensic Files. It showed a lady walking out of church and she was shot five times and died. She was married and had two older sons. She had been singing in the church choir for years and had just finished evening practice. As the details were revealed, she had been having an affair with three men over the past few years. As her story unfolded it showed her as a horrible witness for Christ. Will professing Christians like this not inherit the kingdom of God as stated in Galatians 5:21 above? What on this earth could be more important or more exciting than the promise of eternity with Christ?

Follow Bible prophecy and the history of Israel and it will prove there is a God and it will authenticate the accuracy of the Bible. The Bible will provide a description and the character of God. We then can learn what He expects from man and what man can expect from God. We can be guaranteed, through prophecy, that what He promises will be fulfilled. We can also understand His love, mercy and grace. The result should be a life with a trust in God who provides faith, love, joy and peace in one’s soul.

Twice Israel was destroyed as a nation. In 586 the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar totally destroyed the nation, Jerusalem and the temple. After 70 years they returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. Some 650 years later in 70 AD the Romans totally destroyed Israel, Jerusalem and the temple. They were no longer a nation for 1,878 years. The Old Testament prophets predicted that the nation would again take place in the future, thus proving that God kept His word. There is no other nation that was once totally destroyed and its people dispersed throughout the world and survived. Israel was driven out and twice destroyed. The Hebrew language was almost extinct. Today, the Israelis speak Hebrew their original language. One promise of many promises that is still to be fulfilled is the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount. What obstacles must occur to remove and replace the Muslim’s “Rock of the Dome” located on the Temple Mount since 689 AD? Devastation of its enemies as prophesied in Scripture. It will be another proof of the Bible’s accuracy when it happens.

Beginning in 1880 Jews very slowing started coming back to Israel. Jews coming from Russia trickled in at first. Then came World War I and in 1917 many more Jews returned. After World War II and the Nazi Holocaust hundreds of thousands of Jews fled to Israel. Then came May 1948 and Israeli people were attacked by surrounding nations. The war ended with Israel’s independence. For the next 19 years there was continual fighting. Then came the six day war of 1967 and Jerusalem was united with Israel. There has been continual skirmishes ever since. The problem has been over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. At one time 1/6 of Jerusalem included the Temple. The Bible states that the War of Armageddon will be in part over the possession of Jerusalem. God is in the process of fulfilling His promise as He has always done.

If God breaks any one of His covenant promises to Abraham and the prophets, His enemies would use that to state the Bible is meaningless and God cannot be trusted. What if Israel was attacked, defeated and completely destroyed? How much credence would you place in the Bible? God has used the Jewish nation and history to prove that He is Who He says He is. Eliminate God’s relationship with Israel from Abraham until today, and you might as well throw out the Bible. If God allowed Israel to be destroyed our faith and trust in God and the Bible is shattered.

Satan has always tried to destroy Israel throughout history. Throughout the Bible, rulers and nations have tried to eradicate the nation. Our reasoning is if you destroy Israel you will destroy any link to God. Many believe that at certain times God has relinquished His protection and allowed Satan’s attacks to discipline His people because of their rejection of God’s authority. We see when they were deep in sin, it’s like God said if you want to live like the devil then go ahead. When they had enough and things seemed hopeless, they would repent, begin worshiping God and He would be their God again. This was because of His promise to Abraham and it shows He always keeps His promises.

We read in Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” If we are to take the Bible literally that would mean God has an obligation, in order to keep His promise, to curse anyone who curses Israel. Is Scripture implying cursing and blessing individuals or would this apply to nations only? We can present facts that throughout history those nations who attacked Israel were retaliated against. Therefore, should we not be concerned when our government is not supportive of Israel? At this time the U.S. has failed to support Israel in the latest test of their blockade and our administration continues to require them to give up covenant land. How does God fulfill His promise to curse if He said He would? Let us consider the following:

According to John P. McTernan’s book, “As America has done to Israel.” It seems like anytime our presidents required Israel to give up their covenant land to the Palestinians we have had severe natural disasters; such as, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. President Reagan was a strong supporter of Israel. During his presidency it seems we had times when we were blessed. Let me start with President George H. W. Bush. On October 30, 1991 speaking at the Madrid Peace Process, he was the first president and he made it very clear that Israel was required to surrender parts of the covenant land for peace. On the same day, October 30 a ferocious storm smashed into New England. It was called “The Perfect Storm”. You may have read the book or seen the movie. It created ocean waves of over 100 feet among the highest ever recorded. President George H. W Bush owns a home on the East Coast at Kennebunkport, Maine that was heavily damaged. Eyewitnesses said that waves as high as thirty feet rose from the ocean and smashed

into the President’s seaside home. What timing! An extremely rare and powerful storm went one thousand miles in the wrong direction on the day he was speaking. Similar unusual conditions have occurred under each of our presidents since then as each have required Israel to give up their land.

On January 16, President Clinton met with Syria’s dictator. Syria agreed to peace with Israel if Israel would give up the Golan Height’s covenant land. The next day was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Los Angeles area. It caused 25 billion in damages. On March 1, 1997 Yasser Arafat arrived in Washington D.C. Clinton welcomed Arafat and rebuked Israel. On the same day powerful tornadoes devastated sections of the nation.

On September 24, 1998 Clinton met with Arafat and Netanyahu to discuss peace plans. Clinton wanted Israel to surrender an additional 13 percent of its land. On that same day Hurricane Georges was headed toward the Gulf of Mexico. Headlines read: “Killer storm zeros in on Key West”. On September 27, Sec. of State Albright met with Arafat to arrange for Israel to surrender that 13% of land. On that same day Hurricane Georges slammed into the Gulf Coast with 110 mile winds with gusts to 175. It caused severe flooding. On September 28 Arafat left the U.S. and Hurricane Georges dissipated.

August 9, 2001 President George Bush demanded that Israel abide by the Madrid Peace Process and give back east Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and end all settlements in the West Bank, covenant land. Israel had agreed to withdraw from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Thirty-two days later was September 11, 2001 when the twin towers were attacked.

Previously President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon agreed that they would give up the Gaza Strip. Jewish settlers were removed August 23, 2005. As the Jews were leaving a tropical storm named Katrina became a category-one hurricane. By August 29 there was a category-five hurricane headed toward New Orleans. (The author ties an entire book to whenever our presidents demanded Israel to cede covenant land natural disasters occurred on the same day or within days.)

Most people would be skeptical that any of these events would have anything to do with our presidents’ demand for Israel to give up covenant land. The only reason I have used these illustrations is due to Genesis 12:3 and Zechariah 12:9 & 10. If God promises to curse those who curse Israel or retaliate against anyone who attacks Israel, what would God do to keep His promises? Would He cause a financial meltdown and an extreme recession or natural disasters?

I am concerned with the way the Obama administration has been treating Israel. On March 23, 2010 President Obama gave a very cool reception at the White House to Prime Minister Netanyahu. On April 20th an explosion occurred aboard a drilling rig 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana killing eleven people and millions of barrels of oil continue to spurt out of the ocean floor. Does a disaster have to occur on the exact day? If disasters are occurring as a result of our relationship with Israel, I wondered if President Obama made peace with Israel if we could get the oil flow to stop and other disasters. Recently, his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to have improved and the flow of oil has stopped. Is all of this just a coincidence? It doesn’t seem to be when you see the results of Presidents George Bush and Clinton’s demands for the Israelis to cede covenant land and the natural disasters that followed.

Most nations of the world do not recognize God’s covenant with Israel. Some believe the Jews did have a covenant but it is no longer valid. Some Christians believe that Christ came to make the first covenant obsolete. I do not believe it was the land covenant but the law covenant. Jeremiah 32:40 – “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. Ezekiel 16:60 – “Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Isn’t God continuing to use the birth of Israel in 1948 to show that His Word is true? The Islamic religion does not believe the covenant was made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They believe it was made with Abraham and Ishmael. Whereas, the Christian Bible believes it was not with Ishmael but Isaac. (Genesis 17:19 – 21) – Therefore, they believe that what Allah promised was to Ishmael and it is their covenant land. However, the Palestinians are descendants of Esau, Isaac’s brother.

Muslins controlled Palestine for most of the time since 638 A.D. yet could not prevent the restoration of Israel. For Muslins to recognize the nation of Israel would be an admission that their beliefs are wrong. Yet, our government believes that they can obtain a peaceful co-existence between the two. The rebirth of Israel shows the authority of the Bible as the Word of God and proof that the Koran and Mohammed are incorrect. It is not possible for the Muslins to ever accept Israel as a nation. It would be an admission that what they believed was wrong and what Israel believed was correct. Yet, our different administrations don’t seem to get it.

The 36th Chapter of Ezekiel makes it very clear that the property belongs to Israel. However, there are a number of Christian theologians who believe the covenant God had with Abraham was broken in Ad 70. They believe Christianity replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. This would mean Israel is no longer relevant and Bible prophecy in the end times is partially meaningless.

It was Zechariah who prophesied the restoration of Israel, but said that when the people returned it would be in unbelief toward God and the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. God also said He would judge any nation that tried to destroy Israel. Zechariah 12:9 – 10 – “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a “spirit of grace” and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” If the restoration of Israel is not of God you would have to ignore prophecy and all that has happened as told by historians.

If you want to know how much “grace” God has, just look at what He has done in spite of the attitude of the Jewish people. God knew before the creation of the earth that when He chose Israel as a special people what they would do. They would be evil, disobedient and sinful. In many cases they were arrogant and highly self-centered as many other humans. Yet, He has never given up on them. It is because of His promises and His handling of Israel that we understand His mercy and grace.

How often have we met brilliant people who have been absolutely unable to comprehend or understand the meaning of grace? According to one survey, 40% of Christians throughout the U.S. believe they will get to heaven through good works. Why is it so hard to understand that we are saved by grace through faith? Many believe living a good, moral life and helping others is all that is required to get to heaven. They do not realize that inwardly they may have a corrupt heart. Or, there are those who understand God’s grace but do not apply it to how they live. Grace is defined as God’s unearned favor. Mercy is God keeping us from having to experience what we deserve. Grace is God forgiving us of our sins for which we do not deserve as He has done forever with Israel. Justice can be receiving what we deserve.

If you truly understand Scripture you can prove there is a God through the History of Israel. You can see His mercy and grace given to them as a nation in which they have not earned or deserved. You will realize that He keeps His promises. He, through Israel, helps us to understand what God’s grace truly means to each of us. Is there any sin He cannot forgive? Ask the Jewish people?

Many have heard the story of John Newton, author of “Amazing Grace”. John Newton was converted to Christianity in 1748. Yet, he remained a captain of a ship involved in the slave trade until 1755. He became acquainted with two ministers, George Whitefield and John Wesley, founder of the Methodist denomination. He left his ship and became a minister and wrote these words: “I was blind but now I see”. Why did it take him so long to see what he was doing was actually evil?

I have often wondered why so many new Christians continued to live the way of the world long after they had received the Holy Spirit into their lives. Their lack of knowledge, as John Newton, they were blind to what living a holy life really meant. Once John Newton’s eyes were opened he then preached on the human devastation of the slave trade and its evils. There was a time when approximately one-third of the world’s population were slaves and they were of all nationalities. The culture accepted slavery as a way of life. Everyone who could afford it could purchase a slave. The devil has done everything he could get away with, to keep people down and separated from God.

John 8:31 – 32 & 36 – “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

What was it that Jesus set us free from and the answer is sin? I don’t know what it was like before you became a Christian but I had a lot of baggage. I had a problem with bitterness, hatefulness, jealousy, envy, an unforgiving spirit, anger, selfishness, cheating, addictions, guilt, anxiety and fear to name a few. I believed there were many ways to get to heaven. I had been told that if you did more good things than bad things you could get there. I often wondered what I must do to please God. The majority of us did not want to go to hell regardless of the life we were living. But what was the easiest and surest way there?

One Sunday I accepted Christ into my life. The next day I was a different person. However, I had some issues I had to work on. The more I read the Bible and the more I studied the more I realized I had these problems. All of the things I had been doing were fouling up my life. It took time to recognize I had a problem and then to deal with it. Well why hadn’t Christ set me free? The Bible told me to get rid of the baggage I was carrying and become a new and different person. It told me what I should have in Galatians 5:23 – 25 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

The Scripture kept telling me I had to become submissive to the teaching of the Word. Or, having or showing a tendency to submit without resistance and willing to yield to what I was reading. You cannot pick and choose, based on how you want to live, as to what you want to believe and accept. It is only the truth, Christ’s teaching, that will set you free. If you are unwilling to accept Christ’s truth then you will continue to carry the baggage right along with you as a Christian. This is what I believe many Christians do. They are not willing to accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They then wonder why they have not received into their lives, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and the others. Without self-control and the Holy Spirit’s guidance we are unable to receive these gifts of the Spirit that will change our lives completely.

Do we believe that the Son will set us free from the sinful lives we have been living? This may be a problem to many Christians. To become free we need to accept freedom. After the Civil War the slaves were given their freedom. Many were unwilling to accept that freedom. Changing their circumstances require too much individual responsibility and accountability. They stayed where they were and continued to work for their owners.

Many Christians accept Jesus as their personal Savior but they do not want to change their lifestyle. As a result, they continue to hang on to the baggage that they have always had. They continue to have the same fears, guilt and anxiety. They live with the same selfish ambitions. They miss the love, joy, peace and the other gifts that are available.

Galatians 5:16 – 21 – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Assume you have six different areas you need to change. Then each day pray that the Holy Spirit will help you eliminate each issue from your life. Each of us is different. Some temptations will go away quickly and others may take a long period of time. Never give up because the Holy Spirit will never let you down. My small group asked me if I continue to have temptations. My reply was that I have them every day. I just do not struggle with them. I assure you that once, whatever temptations you are dealing with, I assure you that temptation can be overcome and there will be a time that you too will no longer struggle with it. Just don’t try doing it on your own. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you deal with it. There will come a day when no matter what problem or situation occurs in your life you will deal with it with patience and with peace. There can be a time in our lives when we can overcome all stress and anxiety. Once our hearts and heads are right it beats any medication available. Living a holy life is also a prescription to a more healthy life.