The more we discover the less likely the universe could have just evolved. We are in the process of developing a revolutionary new technology called nanotechnology. It is manipulating properties and structures as small as a human hair. Many areas are being researched such as equipment and medicine.

To describe the future benefits in medicine would seem to be something that would come out of a science-fiction novel. The opportunities in medicine today are so significant that it is hardly believable. Scientists believe they are likely to be able to detect, diagnose and treat various forms of cancer using nanotechnology. This new technology could potentially save a huge number of lives.

To give you an example of how nanotechnology is changing medicine we see it’s affects on drugs. New drugs can be made to cause fewer side effects and be made more effective in treatment than present prescribed drugs. These drugs can better improve the treatment of infection, accident or disease.

Nanotechnology is just another break-through in the changing world in which we live. How could a universe, animals, birds, fish and humans evolve with all of the scientific proof of a creator that is being discovered almost daily? Those who believe in evolution believe that science proves their belief. Whereas, those who believe in creation base their beliefs totally on religion. It is becoming more apparent that the opposite is true. The uncovering of the intricacies of everything that exists, through science, is easier for many to accept creation than evolution.

The first five books of the Bible provide evidence of the need for public health and sanitary practices. The Israelites were told about quarantining those who were sick. They were taught personal hygiene by washing their hands and keeping clean. They were told of certain precautions to keep from becoming infected. They were told what to eat and what not to eat. They were taught not to engage in any sexual relationships outside of marriage. Sexually transmitted disease would not occur if sexual activity were confined to marriage. If you are interested read Leviticus chapter fifteen.

The Bible is full of signs that there is a creator. Now God gives us signs through science and supernatural events. But we are told that evil will veil the eyes of many and they will be blinded as to who God is and to His ways and will.

I heard recently that much of the information that we are now receiving is coming from aliens; those flying around in UFOs. Nonsense! God is making us aware that we can have bodies that are imperishable that can live for a 1000 years on earth when Jesus comes back to reign. Seventy years ago the average age at death for an American was 61. Today it is 78. It won’t be long before it is 100 according to life insurance company’s predictions because of the improvement of health and medicine.

I hope you take from this that God is in the process of giving a sign that what we read in Revelations can happen. It tells us that earth will no longer be cursed and we will be able to live as He had intended Adam and Eve to have lived in a paradise without dying. After Christ’s reign on earth we will then be transported to a new heaven and a new earth. That is where we will spend eternity! The old earth will be destroyed by fire. (II Peter 3:7)

Recently I was asked a question: “Who is our neighbor and who are we to help.” What about a religious denomination that doesn’t believe Christ is the Son of God? There is a difference between helping a denomination and helping a person who may not believe Christ is who He says He is. If you have a particular skill and a charity wants you to donate your time to helping them with a particular project, should you feel obligated from a Scriptural standpoint to perform? Whether you help them or not may be a personal choice. Whether you are obligated to help them or not I believe the answer would be no.

Let’s pursue the question further. First, I may not be qualified to answer who our neighbors are according to Scripture. I have been a store manager for 23 years. I have dealt with shoplifters, liars, scam artists and those who would change price tags to get a lower price. I have had customers demand free repairs on washers that were sold four years previously. My staff included five security personnel to watch both customers and employees. I don’t always believe statistics but have been told over the years that at least 25% of employees were stealing.

I am sure my heart is not as tender as I would like. It has left me a little skeptical as to who my neighbor may be. But should we give God’s money to a charity that practices anti-Christian principles? The following Scripture gives me guidance:

I John 4:1 – 6 – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”

The apostle John states that there are many who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. He says they have the spirit of the antichrist. He also tells us it is our responsibility to test whoever we meet or whatever we read or hear; and does it correspond with Scripture?

So what does Scripture tells us about those in need? What about the person standing on the island as cars are stopped at a red light with a sign asking for money, what is our responsibility? Or, maybe the person that meets you in the parking lot asking for a few dollars? Just what is our obligation as a Christian? There are many charities that help these people yet; they are unwilling to get that help. For years the “Mission” down town has fed and helped people. However, they must listen to Christian music and a sermon prior to getting help. Many, being of the world, are opposed to God and will not take the time or make the effort. They are more inclined to make us feel guilty if we don’t meet their need.

Our church has a ministry to feed the homeless which I support 100 percent. Over the years we have seen a few obtain salvation and every soul is worth our effort. I believe there is a difference between a group from the church helping than an individual Christian enabling those that are able to obtain help from qualified agencies that know how to handle these situations.

By now you may have guessed I do not see them as my neighbor. Before you think my heart is black and as hard as shoe leather, there have been times I have felt led to give. But yesterday when I was confronted by a man I was led to just say no!

My neighbor is any Holy Spirit filled believer that believes Christ is who He says He is. But there are people who are of this world that I want to become my neighbor by accepting Christ into their heart.

However, each person must make their own decisions when it comes to who we are to help. If we hear an inner voice from the Holy Spirit we had better obey!

Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” An entirely different subject!

It seems a number have found my previous two blogs on Jesus speaking to believers an interesting topic enough to do a follow up. So I thought I would provide more information to those who are skeptics, those people who do not believe a Christian can hear an inner voice. I have heard some think it is no more than their conscience talking to them and they really don’t audibly hear anything.

I was asked, what about when Oral Roberts stated that He heard Jesus telling him if he didn’t build a hospital he would be taken to heaven? When the money was coming in too slowly, a little later he said that Jesus gave him a little longer to live to get the money raised to begin construction. What about Bennie Hinn stating that God told him to do a number of things and then later confessed that God really hadn’t talked to him? We have all heard stories that Jesus told someone to do a particular thing. But did they really hear an inner voice talking to them?

The Bible is filled with instances where God or Jesus talked to people. For example: Acts 10:13 – 15 – “Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’  ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’  The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’” There must be at least 50 instances in Scripture where a voice from heaven spoke to an individual. Was it audible or was it someone’s conscience speaking to them? Most of us do not hear our conscience and then talk back.

The book “The Blessed Life” by Robert Morris tells of a time when he was a traveling evangelist and all of his income came from churches where he preached. One month he had only one scheduled meeting and finances were very low. After the service a love offering was taken and it was a check for exactly one month’s expenses. As he stood holding the check he happened to see a missionary who had taken part earlier in the service. He heard an unmistakable voice of the Lord tell him to give the check to the missionary. He went from excitement knowing he could pay his bills to panic. He said, “Lord that can’t be your voice.” He said he wanted to stick his fingers in his ears and say, “I can’t hear you”. He heard the voice again, “Give him the whole offering, trust me”. He walked over to the missionary and said he appreciated his testimony earlier and said, “Don’t tell anyone but I would like you to have this offering. The check is made out to me but I have signed it over to you.”

An hour later he was seated with about 20 members of the church at a pizza place. Across from him was a well-dressed man who asked, “How much was your offering tonight?” So he told him. The man asked, “Where is the check?” He said his wife had it and the man said to go get it, he wanted to see it. He got up and went to his wife and came back and said it was in the car. The man said, “Robert, the check is not in the car.” “How do you know that?” He responded. The man said, “Because God told me and He told me something else.” The man said, “God is about to teach you about giving so that you can teach the body of Christ.” The man handed him a check. It was ten times the amount he had given away.

There are thousands of stories just like this where people actually heard a voice talking to them. When Scripture also states that the Lord talked to people can’t we accept the fact that they actually heard an inner voice. When a light struck Paul on his way to Damascus he heard Jesus speaking. Acts 9:4 – 6 – “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” The Bible says the others may not have heard Jesus.

Why is it so difficult for some to unwillingly believe that people hear an inner voice? Some of these same people will agree that they have heard of people hearing the voice of demons. If they can believe demons speak why can’t believers audibly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit or Jesus? Granted! Most believers are led by their conscience and do not hear an inner voice. However, there are believers who actually hear an inner voice. And when we get to heaven the apostles Peter and Paul will confirm it!

Let’s not confuse folks! If we feel led by the Holy Spirit as many of us have and have a deep feeling it is from Jesus and it does not work out people can understand. If we say Jesus told me to do a certain thing and it doesn’t work out that causes skepticism. Many times I have sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to do something to realize it wasn’t the Holy Spirit; otherwise, as an investment advisor I would be a multi-millionaire many times over.

Can you image what my clients would think if I said, “Jesus told me to invest your money into this particular investment?” They would expect to receive huge returns and would be absolutely beside themselves if they didn’t. This is why we must be careful in how we define what we hear.