Students of history who have studied the Civil War know that it was fought over whether to maintain or free the slaves. Once the war was over congress adopted the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. On December 18, 1865 slavery was officially abolished. All slaves were released from slavery. What was unexpected, most slaves continued to work as if nothing had happened. Their lives remained unchanged. Why had freed slaves stayed as slaves to cruel owners? In most cases they had no place to go. There were no alternatives. How would they have supported themselves?

Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us that all were born into bondage and are slaves to sin. (Romans 6:6 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”) Some Christians, once saved, continue to allow “sin” to be their master. There could be a number of reasons. They feel unworthy, they continue to be negative, pessimistic and they live without hope. They have allowed Satan to steel their independence and remain as slaves to sin.

God knew the problem new Christians would face. Therefore, it was by His grace that He gave to us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to help us break free from Satan and the grip that sin held over us. However, some Christians were like the slaves the Civil War was fought over. They were not interested in being freed. They were unwilling to surrender to the old way of living and stayed—so to speak, as slaves to the world. To break from the world required taking a risk. It required greater faith than they had. They needed more trust but did not have the Biblical knowledge to trust God’s promises. God, through Jesus, did everything to free them. They just couldn’t break loose from Satan’s grip.

A war continues in their hearts as they want to live a holy life. The Holy Spirit is doing everything to help them break free. But they continue to hold on to the world trying to develop the faith necessary to take the risk required to surrender their old self. God gives to us a free moral will to make choices. We must decide who it is we are going to serve. Some are just unwilling to make a choice and escape their comfort zone. Many are unwilling or do not take time to study the Bible in order to believe they can become free. Hence, slavery to the world’s ways continues even though they could have been set free.

I often wondered why it appears so many Christians seemed to struggle in life. Everyone has problems to some degree. Some appear not to let problems bother them and others panic, can’t sleep and live in fear. I have come to believe that many were just unwilling to surrender and give their lives to Christ and trust Him. I understand it is harder for some than others because of our temperaments. Yet, if Christ says He will meet my needs, I know He will because He said He would.

Paul writes in Romans 6:12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”

Isn’t that what many Christians are doing trying to keep up with the world’s ways? We must overcome our emotions and feelings and realize living by Christ’s example takes a lot of stress and pressure off of our lives. We must learn to surrender our old self and our old ways. We must allow the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ. He will change us entirely if we just listen and not ignore Him. But it must be done by reading our Bible and through our study the Holy Spirit will emphasize what kind of a life we must live.

We are going through the greatest recession since the 1930s. People have lost their homes, their jobs, and many are having extreme financial problems. Add to that those having health problems or others who are facing divorce or relationship concerns. Could things get any worse?

The News media is telling us that Greece could be headed for bankruptcy. They then indicate that Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Italy could follow and possibly England. In the United States we hear rumors that if they are not bailed out the same would happen to California, New Jersey and New York. Socialist programs and strong unions demanding increasing costs for pension plans and health insurance, plus Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have put local, state and national governments owing more than they can afford. Can we not see that Satan or the Devil is relishing in the fact that he can bring the world to its knees? Bankrupt the world and people could turn to an Anti-Christ to save them. (Read Revelations) Satan could have the world where he could control it.

Wouldn’t it be nice if God were to put a spiritual fence around each Christian and a spiritual fence around our country? Then problems could not touch us. But we know He will not. He has allowed the world to be ruled by sin because that is how most people want it. We must ask ourselves if we are prepared to meet the future and if not, how do we prepare ourselves? The answer is in the Bible and the Word of God never changes. The Bible shares the history of God and how He created the universe and everything in it. It gives us a manual in how we should live. It tells us why He sent His Son so we could know the nature and character of God. He then placed His Spirit into each of us who would accept Him and Christ His Son. He told us there would be times of great stress and persecution and how to deal with it. We are told the world will be against God’s people. We are not to believe that the world wants to reward Christians. He gives us examples as to how the Apostles Peter, John and Paul were continually treated. If you have not had severe problems realize they are to be a part of life. Some disasters we will bring on ourselves and some will be brought on by others.

We have been living through a period of real excess. Very few any longer have to over work to make a living. Most jobs are computerized or have machinery doing the intensive labor. Our children in America have been given almost anything they want. What kind of children have we raised when we protect them from every problem imaginable? Ask a school teacher and they will point out the children who have been disciplined and those who have not. Is it unreasonable to believe that the world has gotten to the point that God needs to discipline and teach us to use more restraint in how we live and treat others? How better off spiritually and more trusting of God would we be to go through a global bankruptcy? Look at those who have lived through the great depression and were old enough to realize what was occurring. It changed their lives forever.

Remember how many started going to church just after September 11, 2001. How soon they forgot! But a world-wide financial meltdown would change the character and attitude for most for years to come. Chances are it would bring many to accept Christ, be born again, surrender and begin living a holy life. We must realize God is the only one and His Word can be trusted to get us out of the mess we could be in. If things get bad enough, maybe the world would do just like the Israelites did. They knew the only alternative they had was to pray to God to forgive them and intervene on their behalf. It may be time to prepare for some severe problems ahead. Get out the Bible and study so that no matter what happens we can trust God’s Word to get us through it.

Psalms 57:1 – 3 – “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.  My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.”

Can we not see the immediate need for prayer to change the hearts of people? Please pray to God that He intervenes and wakes up Christians to the situation that is at hand. It is my humble opinion that only God can make the difference, not politicians or those living as the world lives. If enough hearts are changed now through prayer maybe God would stop the severe problems that might be forthcoming. In my opinion a world crisis need not happen if we are willing to pray.

(If you are interested in praying to change peoples’ hearts go to your Facebook. Above, where it shows search, type in – 100 prayer warriors.)

I Thessalonians 4:7 – 8 – “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” NLT

Over the years I have struggled with Calvin’s teaching: Once saved always saved. I have witnessed too many Christians and especially leaders who professed to be Christians but lived impure, worldly lives. They were caught committing adultery, were slaves to addictions and many left the church entirely. Were they saved or not?

Acts 8:14 – 16 – “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” NIT

A number of years ago at an Elder’s retreat a Th.D in Theology shared with us that in most churches only about 20% of the Christians in attendance make up the core of the church. They tithe, play an active role in the church and they can be counted on when needed. Then there are many who attend but are not truly committed as Christ teaches and it appears they do not live holy lives. If God commands them to do something they will ignore Him. They continue to do things they know God would not approve. They do not realize that sin causes negative consequences and if they do, they do not care. If this is true, what does that mean? It is like polls may say 90% of Americans believe in God but how many have a personal relationship with Him and live holy lives?

There are numerous Scriptures that tell us if we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we shall be saved and receive the Holy Spirit. My question is: “If God knows everything, does He not know who is serious and who is not about becoming a follower of Christ?” Will the Holy Spirit be given to a person who at the spur of the moment accepts Christ and has intention to live a holy life but never does? Or, does God give His Spirit to that person and withdraws His Spirit when the person ignores completely and rejects the checking and guiding of the Holy Spirit? Isn’t the unpardonable sin, deliberate and continual rejection of the Holy Spirit? Otherwise, would some accept Christ, become saved and be assured of eternity with God and then continue to live as the world lives knowing that once saved always saved?

I have gotten around this by believing it is absolutely not essential that I know one way or the other. But what about the many, if we can believe statistics, who attend church who never get serious about living a holy life? Do we take Scripture seriously that says: “Anyone who refuses to live by these rules (living a holy life) is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you”? My concern is, are we allowing Christians to assume they are saved because they accept Christ but never followed through in allowing their lives to be spiritually changed? We then have to ask, are we talking about working our way to heaven or are we saved by grace? James tells us faith without works is dead. By our deeds we will be judged. Therefore, is it not necessary to live holy lives? How do we interpret 1 John 2:15? – “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Will the Holy Spirit be in the life of a person who does not have the love of the Father in them?

I believe most Christians will agree we will be judged by our heart, our attitude, our relationship with God and our love for others. It is my belief that we will see many in heaven that we do not expect and just as many who we would expect will not be there. But there is only one judge and that is Jesus Christ. But shouldn’t every Christian be taught what the rules are that we must live by or is that called meddling? Many new Christians have absolutely no idea what living a holy life means. But, if the Holy Spirit is truly in them their lives will progressively change because they will be sensitive to His leading. If not, chances are there will be little or no change and they will continue to live as the world lives.

I have always supported our church’s motto: It is ok to not be ok but we must not stay that way. We must never have a critical attitude of others. But in love we must, through example, point the way to holy living. We must show the world that living a holy life really works. Otherwise, why would they wish to become a Christian?

(If you are interested in praying to change peoples’ hearts go to your Facebook. Above, where it shows search, type in – 100 prayer warriors.)

In Monday’s Feb. 1st blog, I shared my 1981 story that God would start a revival from Las Vegas that would spread across the country. This is the last place most anyone would ever expect anything spiritual could come from our city. My first reaction was: “Is this wishful thinking or is this Holy Spirit inspired?” It kind of started out as wishful thinking but a few years later it seemed to be more Holy Spirit inspired.

My next question has been that if this is really Holy Spirit inspired why would the Holy Spirit tell me and not others, or has He? For that, I have found no answer. When we were obtaining land and erecting our present church building there were times it seemed like doors had been shut and locked. It looked like there was no way we could break through even with a sledge hammer. There were times essential materials were needed and delays resulted. When these things happened I would tell Dick Shine or have someone call Mary Felgar and ask her and their group to begin praying about the situation. Shortly doors would open wide and we would walk on through or the materials would show up. It was amazing to watch God reacting to prayers throughout those nine years.

I have studied enough Old Testament to know that when the Israelites started worshipping idols and disobeying God bad things happened. They would be under devastating circumstances but would humbly fall to their knees, begging God to forgive them. God would intervene and take them back. He then would bless them and they once again would prosper as they obeyed His commands. At least for a time!

We have allowed a few, over the years, to change the direction of our schools, our justice system, our government and our nation’s morality. As a child I lived in an entirely different U.S. There is no comparison to what America is like today. The majority was honest, hardworking people who believed in living by the principles of God and Christ’s teaching. For those of you fifty and younger most likely have no idea what America use to be like. Again, studying Old Testament you will see the same thing often happen to the Israelites. They would get an immoral judge or king and the nation would spiritually decline over time. Disasters would occur and the people would go through times of great suffering. It was only when God would intervene would their nation change. I do not believe any of us, no matter how many, can change the direction our nation is headed. Yes, maybe politically but not morally. Town meetings, tea bag gatherings or choosing different politicians will not change the spirituality of America. The only choice I believe we have is to humble ourselves as Christians and ask God to intervene.

In my previous blog I suggested we do what John Wesley proposed. That was to get 100 surrendered and committed Christ praying to change the lives of people. The response I received was count me in. I then prayed: “God, where do we go from here?” Thus, I sought council and we decided on using a page on facebook asking if 100 prayer warriors would enlist to pray for a revival.

First, let us define, as we visualize it, a prayer warrior. It is a person who feels “called” by the Holy Spirit and will make praying an extremely high priority. We are asking that the person spend at least one hour per month praying that God will change the hearts of people and that thousands upon thousands will seek salvation. You may pray each day, 15 minutes a week or however you are led. If at any time you no longer feel led, we ask that you withdraw your name from the prayer warrior list. We are asking that the only thing we post on the site is personal testimonies, answers to prayers or a supernatural experience and we encourage it.

I have felt led to ask my grandson Bryan and his wife Whitney to administer and monitor and accept the responsibility, with me, to allow God to guide us in the direction we are to go. We will ask others to contribute input as led. From time to time we will post as the Holy Spirit leads regarding prayer. If people fail to post and we hear “A God Thing” story we will post it. Or, if a specific need arises we will share. But the subject will be about changed lives. Christians from any church anywhere may share how God is changing lives. We also solicit personal testimonies and ask they be brief. This is just the initial start and we will see where God may lead us.

We hope the Holy Spirit is “calling” you to be a prayer warrior. And, if you become one, the Devil will try to discourage every one of us. Count on it!

Let me share how you may get to the web site. Go to your personal Facebook. Above where it says search: type in – 100 prayer warriors. It will take you to the page where you may sign up. Then begin your commitment to pray for God to begin changing hearts of each person, who then should pray to change their families, then neighbors, next pray that our city will change and then our state. Finally, that Americans, everywhere, will put God first in their lives. Our ultimate prayer is that God will forgive us as a nation and change the spiritual direction of our country. If God isn’t in this, little will change. But we do know God loves and listens to His people and He is gracious, merciful and keeps His promises.

What real advantages do we have as Christians? Over the years I have been saddened by the number of Christians who hope they are going to Heaven. It is so easy to determine whether you are or are not. I suppose the true problem is they cannot overcome the need to work their way to heaven. Ask a good number of Christians if they are going to heaven and a probable answer will be: “I sure hope so”.

Let us all accept the fact that none of us, on our own, are worthy. Next we must get over our ”feelings” of are we living good enough lives to qualify. Over thousands of years people could not live without breaking God’s laws and neither can we. As a result, prior to the New Covenant they could not go to heaven and enter into God’s presence because their sins had not been forgiven. It wasn’t until Christ became the sacrifice for our sins that those who were held in Sheol or Paradise were forgiven by Christ and released to heaven.

The following Scriptures are God’s promises:

• Hebrews 4:5 – The Holy Spirit was given to testify that Christ came to give us a New Covenant and told us God would put His laws in our hearts and write them on our minds and our sins and lawless acts would be remembered no more.

• Luke 11:13 – God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – 8 – Those who will not live a holy life rejects God and the Holy Spirit will not be given to him. (God knows who will be serious and who will not.)

• Ephesians 1:13 – The Holy Spirit will mark you with a seal to guarantee your redemption and salvation.

• Hebrews 2:4 – The Holy Spirit will give us signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts. If we have seriously surrendered our lives to Christ the Holy Spirit will make us aware that He is with us.

• II Timothy 1:13 & 14 – The Holy Spirit will help you live a holy life by giving you faith and love in Christ Jesus.

• Luke 12:12 – The Holy Spirit will tell us what to say.

• Acts 1:8 – We shall receive power from the Holy Spirit.

• John 14:26 – The counselor, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of what Jesus taught.

• Acts 13:12 – The Holy Spirit will speak to our spirit and give us directions and where to go.

• Acts 20:23 – The Holy Spirit will warn us of potential problems.

• Galatians 5:23 & 23 – The Holy Spirit will give us joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

God promises eternal life if the Holy Spirit is in our lives. The Holy Spirit will convict us by dealing with our conscience. Once we accept the Holy Spirit, He will give us a new spirit and a new life. He tells us the Holy Spirit will warn us, encourage us and energize us. He is there to change us because in most cases we cannot change ourselves. At least history has proven that.

What is it that God wants us to do? He wants to lead us and accept His ways. His way is that we love Him with everything we have and He wants us to love others. On these two commands we will be judged. Surely a believer must know whether or not they have received the Holy Spirit into their lives. Then stop being concerned about how you feel. Trust what God says in Scripture and what He promises is true. If we know that the Holy Spirit is in our lives that is our guarantee that we will be with God throughout eternity.

This blog is the 85th posted. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit, twice a week, has inspired me to write. As I listen to four sermons each week, attend two Bible study classes, read Christian books, study the Bible and pray, things just pop into my mind to share with you. Some of you disagree with what I write and others feel helped. It is difficult to interpret the Bible so that we could all agree. My men’s Bible study find times we cannot agree and agree to not agree and go on. However, we do not disagree on the essentials. What I share are my personal beliefs so feel free to disagree. However, I appreciate you letting me know if something is helpful or you disagree. I will address your replies in future blogs.

It is fairly easy to determine how well we know God. How much time do we pray and study our Bible? A young athlete asked what it took to become really good. The response was: “How willing are you to really prepare? Do you want to play in the game or do you just want to sit on the bench?” Once they understand how much time and work is required to make the team, they are just willing to sit in the bleachers and watch. The same question could be asked of a Christian: “How well do you want to know God”? Do you really know Him? Do you have a personal relationship or just know about Him? The Devil will do anything to keep us from praying and reading our Bible. Do we have the spiritual discipline to develop a relationship with God?

If you do not really know God then it may be difficult to develop one’s faith, trust and to surrender your will, attitude and your spirit to God. Does our lack of faith, our trust and attitude block forming our relationship with God?

Previously I wrote that my grandfather and an aunt had a special relationship with God. Daily they fell to their knees and prayed. Throughout the day they communicated with God. They spent hours studying God’s Word. They allowed God to help them make decisions. When they encountered a problem they turned it over to God and let Him intervene for them. They did not seem to worry or let things upset them. Things just seemed to work out in their lives. I have spent many years as a Christian witnessing how God has helped others and the blessing He has given to our family and me. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that whatever God promises will happen.

God has taught me through a variety of jobs how to manage my time in order to have time for study and prayer. His Word instructed me how to handle pressure. Using Biblical principles helped me become more productive. Could I have done it without the Holy Spirit? Probably not!

While Christ was eating with them He said: Acts 1:4 – 5 – “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Could Christ’s three years of ministry be enough to have His disciples spread His message worldwide? Remember, they are the ones who scattered at the crucifixion and hid behind locked doors? We must learn the power available to us through the Holy Spirit within us. How could we possibly know, without studying the Bible, what God says we are capable of doing through His Spirit?

Are there not times we make poor decisions resulting in complete messes? Have you gotten yourself into financial messes or other serious problems? Do you fall to your knees and pray to a God you know about or a God with whom you have a personal relationship? Which God do you prefer sharing your problems with and ask for His intervention and know that He will respond? Do you pray to the one you know about or the one with whom you have a personal relationship? Do we really know what power is available to us through that relationship? Think preparation—spend time in prayer, Bible study and surrendering our self-centeredness. That is how we develop that personal relationship with God our Father.

This is a follow up to my blog on Pat Robertson’s comments on Haiti. It is presumed 200,000 may have died. If a 7.0 earthquake occurred in the U.S. chances are less than 20,000 would be killed. The Northern California’s 1989 Loma Prieta “World Series” earthquake, in the San Francisco area, measuring 7.1 resulted in 63 deaths and 3,757 injuries. Haiti is one of the most corrupt nations in the world and most live in abject poverty. The U.S. State Dept. states there are no safe areas in Haiti. Nations have warned their people that there is a high level of crime and police do not have the ability to control it.

Poverty had a tremendous affect on the seriousness of the quake. Our wealth allows us to build better and stronger homes and buildings. They do not have the heavy equipment or medical services to handle a severe calamity that many nations have on hand. They do not have the political or economic conditions to face any natural disaster. So I ask the question: is every earthquake caused by God to punish the people living near its epicenter? Or, is it a fulfillment of prophesy as told that in the end times there will be increased earthquakes along with pestilence, etc.?

Romans 2:12 – 14 – “All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.” (Many accept this to mean: if you accept Christ, you are no longer under the law. However, if you do not accept Christ you will be judged by the law.) “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,”

We all know that God gave the Ten Commandments to the rebellious Israelites and required that they obey them. If they failed and broke a law the just thing to do was to punish a person just like we do when someone breaks a law today. Therefore, if you broke a law then you would expect punishment. Reading the Old Testament God was continually punishing those who disobeyed. Proverbs 3:11 – 12 – “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Read the Old Testament and we would believe that every time we sin God will find a way to punish us. If this were true, then the reason I have all of my problems is because God is continually disciplining and punishing me. Woe is me! To refute that we are continually being punished today, Christ was asked what is the greatest commandment? He replied Matthew 12:30 – 31 “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’” If these two commands are obeyed there would be no need for laws.

Under the Old Covenant man was under the laws of God. But the laws were not converting anyone. Man continued to sin and rebelled against God. Ezekiel 36:24 – 28 – “’For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.” God tells us that He will put His Spirit in us. This is what Jesus came to do. Under the Old we were under the law. Under the New Covenant, initiated by Christ, we are under “grace” and the Old Testament becomes a part history and a guide for each of us, as I see it. The Old was works and the New is faith and grace. When we are judged it will be our hearts and our deeds. It will not be our works, keeping the law, because we cannot earn our way to heaven. If we love God and others we will not intentionally break the laws, which we as Christians are not under.

John 3:17 – “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” NLT John 8:19 – “’Where is your father?’ they asked. Jesus answered, ‘Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.’” If Christ is not to judge the world at this time, neither would God as the two are one.

Once Christ made the change all punishment is deferred and will be given at the Day of Judgment. Between now and then we can ask for forgiveness and receive salvation. We can avoid just punishment now and later. My God does not cause earthquakes, lightning, floods, etc. to punish people. The earth is in decay as we get closer to the end. Expect many more coming “acts of nature” to occur according to Revelation. There are many places you could live and never have an earthquake no matter how cursed or sinful you might be.

We know there are many who believe God continues to punish as He did in the Old Testament. There are many who believe you must work your way to heaven. I disagree with both beliefs. As stated, Jesus has said He was not sent to judge but to save the world. We are also told we are saved by grace and not by works.

Further evidence is that Christ died in our place for our sins as an appropriate sacrifice for sin. His sacrifice brings pardon, deliverance and freedom. The demands of God for justice against a sinful race were fully met by Christ, leaving God free to be merciful to all of us who formerly merited only judgment. Hence, only since Christ’s resurrection has God deferred judgment and punishment to the end times. Does He allow things to happen that He could stop? Absolutely!

Romans 5:13 – “for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” Sin and its deadly affect have remained constant throughout history. However, if there is no law there is no sin. Scripture teaches that the law only defined sin. Keeping the law does not bring salvation and breaking the law does not bring death. The law was given thousands of years after Adam and yet people died.

Finally, if God is punishing sinners I would have to ask: “Is Las Vegas next?” I then wonder why He didn’t do a better job of devastation in the 1989 San Francisco’s earthquake. Southern California is due for a quake very shortly! I wonder what they will say God’s reason for their punishment might be. (This is how I see it and many will disagree.)

Turn on the news and you can witness the devastation in Haiti. Many do not have to hear it on the news to know that life can hand out some very terrifying situations in the life of a person. Pick up the paper and you can read about tragedy that people are constantly going through. As I wrote in my last blob everyone is looking for a reason. Why did God allow it to happen?

How we respond to any given situation tells us a lot about ourselves. Scripture tells us that God allows things to happen so that He can use us as His disciples. God has a plan for each one of us. Therefore, we must ask ourselves, how willing are we to be used? Are we more interested in our plan or in His?

As we study the Bible those dedicated most to God went through some terrifying circumstances. The Israelites, the prophets, judges, King David, Joseph to name a few who were mistreated, persecuted and faced death continually.

If we haven’t learned, we should have, that for every action or decision we make there is a reaction or a consequence. Most problems we face are results of our own decisions. God allows bad decisions to result in negative results that will help us learn a lesson that can help us in the future. I have told members of my family that if you are going through some trying times that you did not cause, God has something really great for you in the future. Why did Joseph who was hated by his brothers, sold as a slave, spent time in prison for something he did not do have to do those things? God was preparing him for something great in his future. How did Joseph respond through it all? He continued to worship God.

A number of very successful Christian business men went through bankruptcy. J.C. Penney was one of them. Many years ago the stores he founded were called the Golden Rule stores. It was only later that the name was changed to J.C. Penney. How else can God teach discipline, perseverance, faith and trust?

I have told you previously, as a store manager I have been cussed out and called every evil name imaginable because the freezer wouldn’t freeze and the washer wouldn’t wash. As I look back it may have been in preparation for my spending nine years as chairman of the relocation committee. Have you heard of churches being so enraged over the color of the carpet to be placed in the sanctuary that they split? Not everyone during those nine years were happy campers!

Maybe you have gone through, are going through or in the future will have some devastating times realize it may be that God has something great for your future. Maybe the more willing we are to be used the more problems we could encounter. Knowing that God is allowing it for a purpose, even though we do not know why, shouldn’t we go through it trusting God and realizing that He has a plan for each of us?