Scripture tells us that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Does that mean anything I ask for in prayer I can have? Most Christians understand that if that were true, there would be more Christians. The fact is: most things we ask for we do not receive. So what does Scripture mean?

Mark 11:22 – 25 – “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

It is believed that praying for something that you desire and God will give you, we must understand what kind of desires are answered. There are two different desires. There is a desire of the flesh or desires placed in our spirit by the Holy Spirit. Chances are if we pray for a desire that comes from the flesh, God will not answer that prayer. If we need a car, our flesh may pray for a Lamborghini or Ferrari. However, our spirit would suggest we pray for adequate transportation. No matter how much faith you have, chances are the prayer coming from the flesh will not be answered.

Scripture tells us that it is desires that start in our spirit, that God answers. We are also told that God reveals to our spirit certain desires. For example, a young person may have a real desire to get a college education but does not have the money to attend and may not believe they could find a way to start. Can you determine whether that is a desire of the flesh or from your spirit? What is the purpose of further education? If you feel that further education could help you be a better witness for Christ and you have a better chance of spreading the gospel, don’t you believe it is a desire inspired by God? If you have the faith to believe your desire is God inspired, Scripture tells us that prayer will be answered, if you believe God will make a way. To God, nothing is impossible.

No matter how much faith we have, your chance of getting a prayer answered that is not good for us is slim. That does not mean we cannot make it a goal and work for it. God gives us free moral agency to make whatever decision we chose to make. If we get a desire from our flesh answered, it may not be an answer to prayer, it may come from our determination to obtain it.

Jesus also gave other conditions for answered prayers. We are not to be bitter, hold a grudge against another or be angry at a person. Believers should not come to God asking for forgiveness or making other requests while refusing to forgive others. God checks out a person’s heart before answering prayers. The more spiritual we are, the more faith we should have and the more likely we will be praying to God with desires that come from our heart or spirit.

A problem many Christians have is: what should they be praying for if they want their prayers answered?

Romans 8:26 – 27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

When we don’t know the right words or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit prays for and with us. If God is helping us pray, we should not be afraid to approach Him with our requests knowing that He will answer according to what is best for us. Paul writes about feeling empty or incomplete in this world to the extent we groan (long for) help within ourselves. This is when the Holy Spirit caries our thoughts and feelings to God. The Holy Spirit continually searches our heart. He knows what we need and what you need to become Christ-like. He knows us thoroughly. He also knows what God has planned for us. It is the Holy Spirit’s purpose to guide us on the path God has laid out for us. What is clear is that God’s purpose for people was not an afterthought; it was determined before the foundation of the earth. I believe it is clear that if we have the Holy Spirit; God has always been with us at special times. We also know that Christ sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us in getting God to answer our prayer.

We all have desires and wish for certain things. We need to determine whether it is a fleshly desire or a desire coming from our spirit. If we believe our prayer is coming from our spirit and God has revealed it to us, then we need to pray and have the faith to believe that we shall receive an answer and Scripture confirms it.

Scripture tells us in the Old Testament that it was possible for a person to walk with God. In two instances, two men that walked with God were taken to heaven without having a physical death. Chances are, no matter how spiritual a person is today, there is little chance of going to heaven prior to death. However, there will be a time when believers with be raptured and they will never experience death.

The following Scripture has always made me think that it is possible to walk with Christ: Genesis 5:24 – “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 2 Kings 2:1 – “And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, “Genesis 6:9 – “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

It occurred to me that everyone who has received the Holy Spirit has the chance to walk with Christ. A major purpose of the Holy Spirit is to help us learn how to walk with Christ so that we can become Christ-like. Everywhere we go; it is if Christ is walking with us. The problem is that most Christians do not recognize that the Holy Spirit is as if Christ were walking beside us. Romans give us instructions how we are to become more Christ-like in order to walk with Him:

Romans 8:5 – 9 – “ Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” NLT

Everyone has been given a choice. We can allow our sinful natures to control or we can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Anyone without Christ is unable to subject themselves to God as God had intended. I Corinthians 2:14 – “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” Our belief and attitude determines our eternity and our quality of life while on this earth.

Accepting Christ as our Savior and receiving the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live a life of peace and joy. The Holy Spirit brings freedom and if we don’t have peace, joy and freedom then we are relying on ourselves and not trusting Christ for our needs. Without the Holy Spirit, there can be no way one may walk with Christ.

To walk with Christ also requires taking on a new role, in a new direction, with a new way of thinking. To walk with Christ we must get rid of deceitful desires and develop a new self and do not give the devil a foothold into our lives. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit will take our dead and insensitive spirit and give it life. Our spirit then becomes immortal and is clearly proof that we become a son or daughter of God.

We cannot be a Christian in name only and believe that Christ will walk with us. Accepting Christ requires salvation and an acknowledgement that He is Lord. We must commit to surrender our self-centeredness and carnal nature to the Holy Spirit to become Christ-like. Just became we have the Holy Spirit in our lives does not mean we will automatically follow God’s will. We must discipline ourselves and give up our control and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. In most cases Christ will block or check us when we are being tempted. However, we must be careful not to think Christ or the Holy Spirit is going to make every decision for us. Christ has given us free moral agency to make decisions based on Scripture. If we want to walk with Christ we must follow His example.

Learning to walk with Christ means we are to serve others, resist pressure to act as the world acts and be willing to give up some rights. If we live according to our sinful nature, we will die; but if we live by the Spirit and walk with Christ, we will live with imperishable bodies throughout eternity. This is God’s promise and our hope.

Since God made a covenant with Abraham, He has provided laws, signs, prophets and prophecy to continually prove to man that He is Who He said He is. He is God, the creator of the universe and the creator of man and woman. Man’s problem has been to deny there is a God or denying that they needed God’s help.

Scripture tells us that in the end times there will be distressful times such as the world has never before seen. There will be scoffers and unbelievers and those that live worldly and evil lives. However, there will be believers in Christ that worship God and they will live in eternity and never physically die.

Daniel 12:10 – “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”

Daniel 12:1 – “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.”

God has made laws so man would follow and realize it was God who provided prosperity or they took punishment when they failed to be obedient. Most were farmers and God told them that they could plant six years but they were not allowed to plant the land, it had to rest, the seventh year. Six years they would have good crops but if they planted the seventh year, in the same soil, the crops would not do well. In my younger days, many farmers continued to follow this law.

God did not want the Jews to borrow money. He told them that every seventh year, if they loaned money, it had to be paid back or there would be a “wipe out” day in the seventh year and all debts were to be cancelled. To this day, every seventh year there seems to be a financial crisis as Israel and America are in debt. We had economic problem in 2001, 2008 and 2015 one is due. The more we ignore God and fail to worship Him and follow His guidance for living, we pay the price. For any believer that spends more than they earn and over borrows, may expect a financial crises to occur at some point. If you feel stress you may have violated God’s laws. Daniel 9:14 – “The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.”

The land that a Jewish family was given, at God’s direction, when they arrived in the Promised Land, was a forever contract. If they sold their land, at the end of a fifty year period, called the year of Jubilee, the land had to be returned to the original owners. If you bought land, you only paid the amount you would have it until the year of jubilee. Then you had to return it to the original family at no cost. Every Jubilee year is a special year and the fall of 2015 begins one and it ends in 2016. There has been 40 Jubilee years since Christ’s death. Leviticus 25:10 – “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”

God has used prophets to spread His message and most times, the people would not accept God and they rebelled. Any time they worshipped others gods, denied God or were disobedient He got their attention by punishing them. Once they realized it was God causing the problems they would repent, worship Him and realize that God loved them and they would prosper. This is why we should not believe in “man-made” global warming or climate change. That does not mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to keep the air and water pure. We must not deny that God is still in control.

God has given all kinds of signs over the years. Before the Jews left Egypt all kinds of plagues and supernatural events occurred. The parting of the Red Sea should have made the Jews aware that there was a God. When the Jews came out of Egypt to the promise land God fed and protected them.

God has used the sun, stars and moon as signs so man would realize that He was their God. In 1492 during four blood moons falling on Jewish religious holidays, the Spanish inquisition of Jews occurred. All Jews were told to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Many of those who stayed were killed. That same year an Italian Jew, Columbus, who was mostly financially supported by Jewish investors set sail and discovered the American continent at San Salvador. Some believe many Jews from the lost tribes of Israel migrated to England. From England they came to help settle America. The Americas may have been created partly to protect Jewish citizens, from the lost tribes, as well as militarily protection for Israel. America was founded on Jewish/Christian principles and morality. At the same time, Christianity spread throughout the United States. When the Jews failed to spread God’s message to the Gentiles, He used Christianity to do so. Christians have taken the Gospel to most every country as the Bible prophesied.

In 1948, the next time that there were four blood red moons falling on Jewish religious holidays, Israel on May 14, 1948 became a homeland to the Israelites and an official country. God began calling Jews from all over the world to return to their God-given covenant land as previously prophesied.

The next time this lunar eclipse phenomenon occurred was in 1967. Israel was attacked by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and they repelled their enemies. The war lasted six days and Israel captured Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They were able to unify control over Jerusalem their covenant land. The Soviet Union supplied most of their enemies’ military equipment and economic assistance. President Lyndon Johnson rallied to assist Israel. During this war there were a number of supernatural events that happened and the Jews believed it was because God was on their side. It was the first time in 2000 years that they controlled Jerusalem.

Some believe this September 28, 2015 when we again have the forth blood moon and a lunar eclipses falling on a Jewish holiday, some major event will likely occur. Since Christ’s birth there have been seven times these red blood eclipses have happened and only three times in the last 500 years.

Scripture is telling the truth when it says: “None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” I hope you are one who realizes that God continues to prove His love for man by giving him every indication that He exists. He sent His Son to die for our sins. He has provided us with a plan to become one of His children. He gives us the Holy Spirit if we accept Christ and make a commitment to die out to self and allow Him to guide us.

For many years I have been a church Elder. As Elders, we have been asked to pray for the sick. I have seen supernatural healings. I have heard people describe having died and witnessing hell and then return to live and accept Christ as their Savior. I have had people die and witness heaven and Jesus and then come back to life and tell us what it is like. For nine years, I chaired a committee that purchased 80 acres for our church. Across the street 80 acres cost $8.8 million. We bought our 80 acres for $3 million. We oversaw the building of a 150,000 sq. ft. church. We had numerous problems. We had a prayer group that would pray for each problem and supernaturally the problem became solved. Having witnessed all these miracles, God has blessed me by taking away any fear of death. You can have the same assurance.

AFTER ALL GOD HAS DONE TO PROVE THAT HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS, THERE WILL BE NO EXCUSES NOT TO BELIEVE!!!

I told my family that my grandfather at the age of seven was logging with his father and brother. A log rolled over him and mashed him into the ground and mashed his chest. It broke his ribs, one shoulder and an arm was badly broken. His father took him home on horseback. His mother laid him on the floor by the door so he could get air and breathe. He was hemorrhaging badly from his nose and mouth. His father rode seven miles to get a doctor to come to their home.

The doctor came, shook his head and said: I can’t do anything for the child, for there are bones penetrating the lungs.” His mother said: “He will live and make a preacher. She got a sheet, tore it into strips some four to six inches wide and asked the doctor to help her wrap him up, pressing his body back to about the right shape and fixing his arm as best she could. The doctor shed tears and went away. He later heard others say: “He will never be strong.”

He said there were times he was conscious and other times unconscious. He remembered his mother on her knees praying and asking God to spare his life and she said she would do her best to see that He preached the Gospel.

It was two years later before he could go to school and play with the other boys. His arm was misshapen for three or four years. His mother would pray, rub his arm and by using it, it came out all right. God healed him and he became a very normal teenager. At the age of 19 he was converted and felt lead to become a minister of the gospel. His entire adult life he farmed and on Sunday’s preached. He and my grandmother raised a family with ten children.

Just think: there would not be 100s of us if he had not lived. This is also the reason many of us have accepted there is a God. Our parents believed that if my grandfather did not have a mother who prayed and believed God would heal him, he may not have lived?

Many Christians too often feel they know best and there is no need to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Too many times we want to change God’s plan for us, for we know what is best. Or we do not feel worthy enough that God has a purpose or plan for us. How many Christians start each day by praying and meditating asking for God to guide them throughout the day? Do we live as if there is no God or that we can do without His help?
Do we understand why God allows problems or trials to confront us so that we will pray asking for His assistance in solving the trials? I suppose if we went through a supernatural experience as my grandfather, we would be a more serious Christian. At least our faith and trusting that He will help, would improve.

Throughout Biblical history God has done everything to prove that He was Who He said He was. If the Jews rebelled, He would stop it from raining. When they would worship him, they would become prosperous. However, the more prosperous they became the less they believed they needed God and would stop worshipping Him.

Proverbs 23:7a – “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” What we think about is who we are. How much time do we give to God? Is the only time we think of God and pray is at meal time? Can we not see why many people do not believe they need a God?

Then consider, Satan is the great deceiver, divider and destroyer. Satan attacks the carnal nature of man with tempting lusts and worldly pleasures. The Holy Spirit inspires our spirit and soul to become more Christ-like. Who are the majority of people listening to? If you are listening to Satan you may find it easy to deny there is a God.

Recently, I was talking to my doctor and discussion of the Bible came up. He told me that a number of his patients were atheists. They reject the belief that God exists. They do not believe there are any deities. I find this so hard to understand because I have witnessed so many supernatural experiences that have proved to me God exists and He has opened doors in my life and He has closed doors. I believe, were it not for God’s healing power, I would not be alive today. I have had severe heart attacks since 1984 and cancer since 1997. Once I was given only a 10% chance of living through bypass surgery. When I was having my health issues, I am glad that I knew God’s presence was with me. Many were praying that I would be healed. What do atheists do when they face severe health issues?

I am thankful for a grandfather who prayed daily for his children and his grandchildren. I do the same because I have a God that loves me and answers my prayers.

Satan knows the Bible and what will happen in the end times. He does not want you believing there is a God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So he has a plan to deceive the world into believing there is no God of the Bible. Christ tells us there will be all kinds of signs that we might recognize that show the end of the church age, the Tribulation and the War of Armageddon. Scripture tells us that there will be many deniers when the end is near.

2 Peter 3:3 – 4 – “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

When God told Abraham and Aaron to go and tell the Egyptian Pharaoh that God says to let the Jews return to the promised land, Pharaoh did not believe in their God. Therefore, God knew that the Egyptians believed in a sun god, the god of the Nile River and the god of nature. God turned the earth to darkness blotting out the sun. He turned the Nile into blood to deny that god. He caused a number of plagues to prove that He also controlled nature. Many similar signs are about to take place. God once again, will do many supernatural events to prove that He is God. As in the past, many will not believe that God is causing these events to happen. This is where the politicians, who are being used by Satan, will try and convince us that it is all because of man-made global warming or climate change that will cause the supernatural events that are coming and not God.

Scripture tells us not to judge. We are not to judge individuals but we may judge our politicians’ actions. What you see coming out of Washington, D. C., is it God inspired or Satan led? This coming September 13 is the Jewish calendar’s year end. This is the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year. On September 15, France is expected to vote to recognize the establishment of two states, Israel and Palestine. This September the UN Security Council is also expected to vote on a UN resolution to create a Palestinian state dividing Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and the Palestinian State and at the same time condemn Israel. It will also recommend the reducing of Israel’s territory. The Wall Street Journal wrote about this a few months back.

Keep in mind, September 28 will be the fourth blood moon that falls on a Jewish holiday. Remember the past three four blood moons were in 1492, 1948 and 1967. Let us see what our politicians do in September and if they do insist that Israel gives up land to Palestine. Do you believe God will allow it?

I must point out that I am not predicting or prophesizing but writing about what I read in the papers, see on TV and read studying the Bible daily. However, if the above happens it could be considered one of the signs that the end is getting near. Genesis 15:18 tells us: “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” This land does not belong to Israel, it belongs to God, but Israel gets to use it.

What may we expect when the end times approach? Revelation 8:7 – “The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.”

As we cover some supernatural events that will occur during the end-times, again I want to point out Judgments are designed to again prove that God is Who He says He is. Something the Old Testament states He has continually done throughout history. Instead of God taking revenge on the persecutors, some believe one purpose of the judgments is also intended to produce repentance. The following is what the Bible says will happen:

First – Hail and fire mixed with blood rained down on one-third of the earth. Second – Verse 8:8 – A huge mountain, on fire, is thrown into the sea turning one-third of the sea to blood, destroying one-third of sea life and sinking one-third of the ships at sea. Third – Verse 8:10 & 11 – A blazing star, named Wormwood, falls on rivers and streams turning the water bitter and many people die. Fourth – Verse 8:12 & 13 – One-third of the sun, moon and stars were struck and went dark and one-third of the day was without light. Fifth – Verses 9:1 – 11 – An angel fell from the sky that had the key to the Abyss or Bottomless Pit. They believe this is Satan with the key. He then opened the Abyss and smoke came out causing the sky and sun to become dark. From the Abyss locusts came out with the power and sting of a scorpion. They could eat no vegetation. For five months they could sting non-believers but not those with God’s seal. Sixth – Verses 9:13 – 21 – The four angels bound at the Euphrates River were turned loose to kill one-third of mankind by using an army of 200 million. It is believed John was describing a modern army using fire, smoke and sulfur causing the death of a third of mankind. We believe it to be the battle of Armageddon and an end to history.

Apparently, these judgments do not take place worldwide because only 1/3 of the earth is devastated. Could this be the result of an H-bomb that can destroy everything for a radius of 100 miles? Twenty-five of these bombs would destroy the United States. Zechariah 14:12 says, “Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will rot in their mouths.” Could the thunder, lightning and earthquakes be a result of atomic or hydrogen bombs? This occurred in Japan when we dropped the two atomic bombs. All those Old Testament prophets understood, were bows, arrows and catapults. How would they have described a nuclear bomb?

Strictly my opinion: Let me give a brief recap. I see the plagues of Egypt reoccurring again. God continues to prove to the world that He controls the universe and He is who He says He is. As the Egyptians, non-believers will not accept what happens as divinely inspired. They will blame it on politicians who they believe have allowed our waters to be polluted. They have caused our cities to be filled with smog and our forests devastated. Global warming causes all of the disease and pestilence. For every event that occurs, Satan will convince most, that man caused it. Massive earthquakes will be blamed on all of the oil that has been taken out of the earth. The massive earthquakes will cause volcanoes to erupt. Smoke from these eruptions will cause the earth to become 1/3 dark. The extreme heat of the lava will destroy sea life. It will cause gigantic storms, thus destroying 1/3 of the ships at sea. Comets and meteorites have fallen to earth before and will again. Non-believers will ask, “What makes you think your God caused it?” It is God’s judgment and the desire to see man repent that they do not see. Can you believe there is a God?

Many do not expect God to answer their prayers. Therefore, they do not listen for God to give a reply. We must become confident, as Christians, God is going to answer our prayers. God wants us to become strong in character and improve our endurance for living a holy life. He will continue to allow us to be tested, not to defeat us, but to improve that endurance that is needed to face the trials of life.

James 1:2 – 4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Most people are looking for happiness and joy in their lives. Do you know very many people who have found lasting happiness? Happiness and pleasure is usually a temporary state that we received from favorable sources. When these external circumstances become unfavorable we often find ourselves unhappy.

We may be happy when we win but unhappy when we lose. We may be delighted when we receive recognition or financial reward. But how long does happiness last? External situations change so often. Happiness can fade rather rapidly. Many times the unhappiest people are those seemingly having everything that most of us are dreaming for; yet, they do not always seem too happy.

Human nature seeks to be happy and joyful. When we find happiness difficult to achieve, many seek addictions as an escape from the frustrations of life. It is our carnal nature or human nature to look to the world for happiness, pleasure and joy. Does an alcoholic find joy in drinking? Does an obese person find happiness in overeating? Many find themselves in an unhappy situation and are looking for ways to change their external surroundings.

The entire world is looking for joy in their lives as defined in Webster’s dictionary. It is described as an emotional feeling of having good things, living a delightful life and generally having a feeling of gladness. It may be a state of bliss or gaiety. Many come to Las Vegas looking for that kind of joy, happiness and pleasure. How many find it and how long does it last? We have lived here 41 years and we haven’t seen too many find lasting happiness and joy in casinos.

We look for joy and happiness in marriage. If happiness fades, we look for other means of finding happiness. We continually ask the question: “How can I become joyful and stay that way?” You may not always find happiness. But, there is a joy that can take the place of happiness.

Many do not realize there are two kinds of joy: worldly joy and spiritual joy. It is unreasonable to think we will always be confronted with pleasant circumstances. But it isn’t unreasonable to expect and to always have a spiritual joy. This is the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit. This joy is described as a “fruit” of the Spirit. It is a “joy” that is continuous and is experienced even going through difficult times. This is an inner spiritual joy that comes only from God.

Show me a Christian who has been given the “fruits of the Spirit” as described in Galatians 5:22 – 23 and you will see a person who is full of Christ, non-divisive, neither an arguer nor a constant complainer. They have the heart of a servant. They are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the people who face trials, pray to God and listen to God for an answer and then follow His guidance. These are the people who have that inner spiritual joy that Scripture promises, is available to Christians.

The Apostle Paul says it was this inner joy that encouraged him during his times of imprisonment and his many trials. It is this spiritual joy that encouraged Paul to press on and be enthusiastic toward the goal of living for Christ as he encountered difficult eternal circumstances. We can have the same joy that Paul had, a spiritual joy that keeps us positive through unhappy times. The joy we are talking about does not come from an abundance of things. It does not come from the externals of life. It can only be received from the Holy Spirit as a “fruit” from Him. Read what Scripture has to say:

Acts 13:52 – The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 14:17 – God fills your heart with joy. John 16:22 – Jesus says, “No one will take away your joy.” John 15:16 – “I chose you, (talking to His disciples), and appointed you to bear fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” I Peter 1:8 – (Commentary) this spiritual joy possess the radiance of God’s glory. It is a joy that comes from heaven. It is a joy that can only come from being in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The “fruit of joy” is always dependent upon living a vital relationship with Christ. It cannot be fabricated for it is spiritual and comes from the heart. Having this spiritual joy can keep you from seeking the world’s lusts and pleasures, which so many do. Daily we must die out to this self-centered nature we all have. Focus on Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to help each of us to totally surrender so that we can be filled with joy.

Normal people do not enjoy trials. In fact, most of us do everything possible to avoid the trials of life. However, James says we are to face trials with joy-pure joy. God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing. When the believer learns to wait on the Lord, then God can do great things for him. The only way the Lord can develop patience and character in our lives is through trials. It is essential that we go through the difficulties of life, trust God and obey Him. Therefore, when we go through trials we can become bitter or accept them with pure joy knowing it is God’s will and they will build patience and character.

I wrote a blog that has been read by approximately 2100. You can search it on the right of this page or go to Google, Bing or Yahoo. “HOW SCRIPTURE TELLS US TO DEAL WITH PRESSURE”. It deals with some of the same trials and pressures if you want further information.

I happen to read where owners of racing horses follow the bloodline of horses in order to breed champions. All through the Old Testament we are continually told about the bloodline from Abraham to Jesus. In fact, when a person did something evil, God occasionally destroyed the individual and punished generations after.

Jeremiah 29:30 – “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Send this message to all the exiles: ‘This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies, this is what the Lord says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the Lord, because he has preached rebellion against me.’”

Numbers 14:18 – “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’”

Being non-Jewish we could not break into the bloodline of Abraham and receive the blessings God promised to Abraham’s descendants. However, God had a plan from the very beginning that would allow us to become a part of Abraham’s bloodline.

Ephesians 1:3 – 7 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.”

It wasn’t until Jesus died that the blood He shed, was shed that we might enter His bloodline that God had prepared for us prior to the creation of the world. By accepting Christ as our Savior we are redeemed by His blood and receive the same blessing that the Jews were promised through Abraham.

My mother’s side came to America in 1709. Every generation there were Christians and most generation had ministers. On my father’s side were Christians and ministers. My wife’s father was a minister. It isn’t surprising that our children and grandchildren have all accepted Christ as their Savior.

Many of us know the story of Esau and Jacob. Esau was the oldest son and in a Jewish culture that made the eldest eligible to receive the “birthright”. The birthright was a special honor given to the first born son. It gave him twice as much as any other sibling’s inheritance. Upon death of the father, it also made him the family leader and the judge of any disputes in the family. It gave them a different relationship to God than the others. The oldest son, if he chose to do so, could sell or give his birthright away. If he did, he would lose the material benefit and give up his leadership position. Esau by giving up his birthright gave up the spiritual blessing that came with it. He traded it for an immediate pleasure without considering the long-range consequence of what it would do. Something many do constantly with little or no thought about how it could change the lives of those who follow.

Genesis 23:30 – 40 – “He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.”

Here is the consequence: The Bible probably would have read—Abraham, Isaac and Esau the father of twelve sons. Esau possibly gave up every benefit that Jacob received from God. We can fall into the same trap. When we see something that we really want, what are we willing to do to get it? Our first impulse may be to do whatever it takes. That could mean using the credit card unwisely, having an illicit affair, being dishonest to gain materially. What is it that tempts us? What is our bowl of stew? What are we willing to give up in the future, to satisfy an immediate craving or lust that we have at the moment?

Esau exaggerated his hunger. I doubt that he would die if he didn’t get the stew. Yet, don’t we think similar thoughts? No one will know. It won’t hurt anyone. I will ask God for forgiveness. The pressure of the moment gives us a different perspective making the decision seem urgent. Isn’t it possible for us to justify almost any decision we make?

Consider how Esau’s decision changed his future, his family’s future and the world’s future. If you have read the Bible almost everything from that time on, in the Bible, is about Jacob and his heirs. Follow Esau’s history and there is very little good that came out of it. From Esau came many of those who have accepted Islam and are Muslins. Esau and his descendants are bitter enemies with Jacob’s heritage. There has been jealousy and enemies for centuries.

The important thing is that regardless of your previous heritage, you can change your bloodline by accepting Christ as your Savior. It is His blood that makes you a new person who is redeemed and receives the Holy Spirit. This is how you become grafted into God’s family and will live with the Trinity throughout eternity. THINK! Accepting Christ and living a holy life will affect the lives of your third and fourth generation.

We have three enemies that Christians must continually battle. They are lusts of the body, Satan the deceiver and the world’s temptations. Anytime one of these three can cause you to yield and if you do, it may cause discouragement and a lack of hope. We are living at a time when it is easy to become discouraged and hopeless about almost everything that is happening.

We should know that God allows problems in our lives to build character, trust and patience. We may forget that Satan uses others to deceive and discourage us. We are told that Satan’s final plan is to attack and deceive our minds, pervert our morals and demoralize our armed forces which we are witnessing. We must realize Satan’s army is out to destroy the United States, Christianity and the church as well as every Christian. Can you not see Satan’s plan of attack today?

Revelations 13:5 – 8 – “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. 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. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.”

No matter how corrupt or how much he lies and deceives nor how much he attacks Christians and the church, there will be a huge number of followers believing everything he says. He can do no wrong because of his charismatic personality and ability as an orator. He will perform miracles with supernatural powers.

Not only is Satan our enemy but we must realize that with salvation we become a new person. However, we still have to fight the lusts of the body. When we fail, we can allow discouragement to take over.

1 John 1:15-17 -“Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

The pride of life is allowing pride and arrogance to become sinful. It can be a temptation to want acceptance, fame, power to be somebody important. It can also be a pride that we don’t need God. I think it is best describe as lacking humility. It can be thinking we are more important than we really are. We see it in persons who tear down another verbally.

We as Americans believe that we have been blessed so much that we forget that it was God Who provided it. Life is all about ourselves and we take the credit for all of the material things we have accumulated. We take pride in who we are, what we have and what we have accomplished without giving God any credit. This is why Scripture warns us about the Pride of Life.

II Timothy 3:1 – 5 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

There are many anti-God individuals and groups in politics, most universities and much of the media. They want the church to accept the world’s culture. They want Christians to become politically correct doers. They are becoming well organized and lobby our politicians. They are having tremendous influence on our judicial system. The ways of the world can be an enemy to a Christian. Just because everyone is doing it, does not make it right morally.

With the three enemies trying to defeat us because we are Christians, we must not become discouraged. Many individuals in the Bible seemed to have problems with being discouraged. We learned that discouragement takes away hope. Without hope it is easy to not trust in the promises Christ made to Christians. Many times we have a tendency to take our focus off of Christ and focus only on the problems and conflicts that we encounter.
I John 4:4 – “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.”

We must never forget the above Scripture. The Holy Spirit is in us and is sufficient to defeat all enemies that might tempt us. Remember, as long as we have hope and can focus on Christ we are able to overcome any discouragement. NEVER LOSE HOPE IN CHRIST’S PROMISES!

Have you been a member of a church that has not increased in attendance in years? Being transferred a number of times; our family has been members of a number of churches that rarely increased in numbers. In fact, I have been a board member of six churches that just never seemed to grow.

A friend told me about his church that over a period of time and changes of pastors, their church lost many members and was on the edge of bankruptcy. I have heard this story a number of times of churches having to close because of losing its members. However, after receiving a new minister and some key members left the church, it started growing and financially has healed. It has grown from about 100 to 500. God requires unity and obedience.

Remember God told Joshua that when they defeated Jericho they were to take nothing. One family took clothes and gold. The next city they tried to take they were defeated. Joshua asked God why and was told to take that family that was disobedient and their live stock and stone them. From then on the Israelites listened to God, obeyed His Commandments and won their battles. It doesn’t take many disobedient church members for God to withdraw His help. Normally, without God’s help, churches don’t grow. There are cults that grow rapidly but their help comes from Satan.

We joined Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV in 1981 and the church had an attendance of just over 450 and did not seem to grow. In 1983, I was elected to the board and saw what made a church this size, become one of the 10 largest churches in America. We have witnessed over 50,000 conversions, help start other churches and have a number of satellite churches and a prison ministry.

First, it is not what we did but what God did. But God did not help our church grow until we sought His direction and became obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The leadership met weekly at 6:30 a.m. praying that God would give us guidance in what He wanted our church to do in order to reach out and help others find Christ as their Savior. This took three years before we were able to determine that God wanted us to evangelize the Las Vegas area and beyond. It required a change in our services and our presentation that would reach out to those who were not Christians. Too many churches are traditional and fail to reach out to anyone who has not been saved. But that is not necessarily the problem.

I believe one problem is the membership wants what pleases them rather than what pleases God. It is more like joining Rotary or a service club. Second, there was not unity and everyone in agreement as to what the churches purpose is. My friend’s church and our church didn’t really start growing until some members, causing continual dissention, left the church. Our board kept pleading with God to help us know what we needed to do to keep so many from leaving our church when we made a number of changes to reach lost souls. We began to realize that the church would not grow while there was this disunity and with all the problems that were being created.

We believe, once the congregation became unified and saw what God was doing, the church grew rapidly. Our faith really grew when we had to start expanding our facilities and didn’t have the money to do it. We expanded and God found a way to pay the expenses.

We realized that we had to relocate because we were unable to handle the growing numbers. We decided we needed 80 acres and started praying that God would help us find the right property that we could afford. We made bids on properties and they were rejected. God gave us the opportunity to buy an 80 acre gravel pit for three million dollars. Across the road land was selling for $110,000 per acre or $8.8 million for 80 acres. We negotiated to buy the property but didn’t have the money to pay for it. A member said: “I will loan you the $3 million” and the property became ours. We designed a 150,000 sq. ft. building costing $21 million and still did not have the money. God led us in being able to build it and never missed paying the monthly mortgage.

The purpose in providing the previous information is to share with you that it wasn’t until we gave the church to Christ, as our leader, that things started to change. As long as it was our church and we did things our way, there was little to no growth.

You may not understand how difficult it was to give up our church to God. There were a number of members that believed it was their church and they wanted to run it their way. One of our previous churches asked me to be their treasurer. I did it for one year and said I would never do it again. I found that those wanting to run the church were not willing to tithe. Some were business people that lived a better than average life financially, but often gave little if any money to the church. It was no wonder there was little unity and God was not prospering and helping the church to grow.

Matthew 18:19 – “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

If you want a church to grow, it must become Christ’s church and there must be complete unity, trust and obedience to living according to God’s Commandments and His Ways. If God is not directing your church, you may be no different than a service organization.

Jeremiah 11:8 – “But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.’” Verse 14 – “Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.”

Have you ever read Scripture and wondered what it means? Then later you hear the answer in a sermon or reading a book. God will answer our questions and we may not recognize that it was He Who answered them.

A recent poll indicated that 34% of Protestants and 67% of Catholics support same-sex marriage. Having had a number of employees and friends who are gay state that “this is how God made me”, my son and I were discussing what the Bible thinks of same-sex marriage. We happen to see a comment made by an individual that seemed to answer our question. The person wrote: “You don’t pray to take the sin nature away, you’re human, you’re stuck with it, you pray to FIGHT the temptation and to live a life denying yourself and surrendering to the will of Christ. Just because I’m married but have a lustful eye for other women does not give me license to entertain those thoughts and engage in adultery. We’re broken, we’re all messed up, but you take all those troubles to the cross, and live a new life in Christ. Your old self is dead, and a new man is born. You live after the Spirit, not after the flesh.”

Another question, if we held a poll, how many Christians would agree or disagree with the following Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10 – “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” NKJV Jeremiah 3:2 – 3 – “You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen.” Jeremiah 6:19 – “Hear, you earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.” NIV

I have another question that I would like an answer. It is found in the Old Testament and it is how Moses was treated when he was told by God that he would not enter the Promised Land. Scripture says that Moses put up with rebellious Jews and at times he believed they would stone him. I would think God would have taken him to the high mountain, thanked him for his years of obedience and trust but tell him it was time to select a new leader, more of a warrior/general type because they had to defeat the people possessing the Promise Land. That is not what happened. Following is some background information.

Exodus 17:3 – 6 – “But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. “

Numbers 20:4 – 8 – “Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

The first time Moses was told to use the staff and water would pour out. The second time God told him to speak to the rock and water would come out. However, Moses chose to do it his way and did not follow God’s instructions. He gave an angry lecture, hit the rock with his staff and failed to give God the glory. The Bible said that Moses did all of this in anger and frustration.

The Lord punished Moses and Aaron because of their actions. This was the reason God gave for not allowing them to see their 40 year dream of entering the Promise Land. God held Aaron just as responsible for not speaking up and stopping Moses from using his staff. Does that mean if we see something that is not right and do nothing about it, we will be held equally responsible?

However, when Jesus was at the Transfiguration, Moses was there. The two witnesses that will live and preach for 3½ years during the Tribulation that are killed and then raptured, one we think will be Moses and the other Elijah. It has to be that disobedience to God causes negative consequences regardless who you are. Most every major figure in the Bible was disobedient and paid a price. This must be a lesson for us to follow and not be disobedient. Colossians 3:6 – “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”

It is quite evident that Moses and Aaron were punished for disobeying. Our being obedient is how we show honor to God. What is our responsibility as Christians seeing our government and judicial system denying God’s Commandments and His moral ways? In the Old Testament when government and religious leaders disobeyed God, the entire population often received punishment. Is this what we may expect?