I hear people say you can’t believe what a politician says.  They will tell you anything that will help them get re-elected or approve their agenda. Is that acceptable?  Is it alright for leaders to lie to us?   It seems they do and their constituents continue to vote for them and hold them to high esteem.  What if there was a law that stated a deliberate lie would disqualify a politician from serving?  They would be removed from office.  Do you think there would be a number of new legislators and administrators coming into office?

Do you think we would finally have an administration and congress that would be truly transparent?  We are continually promised we will learn the truth but it seldom seems to happen.  Our youth seem to think it is alright to cheat on tests.   It isn’t cool to always tell the truth.  The ninth Commandment is to not bear false witness or lie, it is a sin.   Do you believe sinning or telling lies is acceptable and God will forgive you?

I agree with what President Eisenhower said: “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity.  Without it, no real success is possible.”  Integrity means honesty or moral soundness.  I spent 23 years as a store manager and never once deliberately lied to my employees.  Do you want respect?  You don’t get it being untruthful.  Would you do business with a person or company that you caught not telling the truth and cutting corners or cheating?  Isn’t it apparent, because of a lack of integrity, we have too few leaders in politics?

I worked for bosses who didn’t always tell the truth.  My respect for them was less than what it should have been.  A leader is to live a life beyond reproach.  What is going on in Washington, D.C. is shameful.  It is a disgrace to have a congress that has an approval rating of 9%.  The administration, in my opinion, is the least transparent of any administration in my lifetime.   Are politicians no longer concerned about their character?  Do they no longer practice morality?  There are some who place a high priority on integrity.  They are just too few.

What if we had a God Who did not keep His promises?  What if you could not believe the Bible?  Do you ignore the fact that God is not pleased when a person does not tell the truth?

Ephesians 4:22 – 25 – “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.   Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

God tells us we need to be born again and become a new person or creation.  What does that mean?  Scripture tells us in Ezekiel 36:26 – “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.^”  That sounds like a heart transplant to me. 

We are born with a heart of stone, so hard that it has a tendency to rebel against God.  We live a self-centered life doing most anything, trying to make our life better.  If we believe something will make us feel better, enhance our wealth or give us fame or power, often we are willing to do whatever it takes, regardless of morality or how it may affect others. 

God says if you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior He will give us His Spirit and the Spirit will give us a transplant, a new heart with a new spirit.  With the transplanted heart, you will begin making decisions with different guidance that is coming from God through the Holy Spirit. 

Research provides statistics that tell us about 20% of the Christians in church 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 as much as they should. We are also told that 80% of Christians do not read their Bibles regularly.  If God’s Spirit commands them to do something they most often will ignore Him or they don’t hear 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 that say 90% of Americans believe there is a 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?”  If the Holy Spirit is given to a person who at the spur of the moment accepts Christ and has every intention to live a holy life but does not, does He have any personal relationship with Christ or God? 

Revelation 3:20 – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”  Doesn’t Scripture tell you that if you open the door Christ will come in and have a personal relationship with you?  While the two of you are eating isn’t it possible to develop a relationship?  Could that happen if you had not had a heart transplant? 

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 active in the life of a person who does not have the love of the Father in them?  Are you living only for today and retirement or are you seriously preparing for the future in eternity? 

I believe most Christians will agree we will be judged by our heart, our attitude, and our relationship with God plus 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 aware of what the rules are that we must live by?   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.  Every year, we should become more Christ-like, more faithful and trusting than the year before. 

Most of us may deal with life’s ups and downs differently.  Have you been faced with having to deal with stress, depression or not being able to sleep at nights because of problems?   Are you spending too much time worrying?  Is there a physical addiction, an overweight/health problem or maybe pornography with which you are struggling? 

Where we are spiritually will determine the choices we make.  Our beliefs are extremely important in how we live, what we think and how we make daily decisions.  How does what we think compare with what the Bible teaches?  If we don’t read or understand the Bible we probably do not know what God teaches in dealing with life situations and temptations. 

If problems or negative situations present themselves how we handle them may depend on our trust and faith in God’s Word.  If the Word is planted into a still hardened heart, it could cause us to allow deceitfulness and worry to stress us out.  Possibly, we make wrong choices.  If we have allowed God’s Word to come into a heart that is responsive to Him and tender, plus a spirit, we have connected with God, we will be able to accept the promises that God will meet our needs and everything will work for the best in the end.  With a transplanted heart that is changing who we are, we can expect God to take us by the hand and get us through every situation that we face.  How do we make the transplanted heart responsive to God and accept the authority of the Bible?  Have the self-control to become submissive to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Read and understand the Word!  Your faith and trust will grow to the point that God is there to help you through everything, all the time.  He will not forsake you.

There are two cultures in Las Vegas.  Christianity is probably increasing as rapidly as any city in America.  There is also a reason it is called Sin City.  The local papers are writing about the legislators who are working on sentencing pimps and those bringing 12 to 14 year old girls into prostitution.  Apparently there is a large sex-slave trade in our city.

It appears we are seeing more families practicing polygamy moving to Las Vegas.  I read where Kody Brown and his four wives, the stars of TLC’s Sister Wives told a group at UNLV that plural marriage was a healthy and happy choice.  The Brown’s come from Utah, where there are thousands of polygamy families, to Las Vegas because of its diversity and acceptance.   A UNLV assistant professor said: “We believe it is a community value to welcome diversity in all its forms.”

Recently I read of another family moving to Las Vegas.  This is a family with three wives and approximately 14 children.  I read where a number of families practicing polygamy have moved to Mesquite, NV. Another article interviewed a young lady that left a polygamy cult in Utah because older men were marrying 14 and 15 year old girls and they were being abused.

Here is what concerns me.  As a nation, we seem to be accepting anything the Bible and God is against.  We see more and more rebelling against God and complete defiance of His ways.  I realize what went on in the Old Testament.  However, Christ came with a new covenant and a gospel that explains how God expected people to live.

During the apostle John’s time, the author of Revelation, it was believed by the people that Satan’s throne actually existed in Pergamum and it seems Christ is confirming this belief.  The city was surrounded by a society that was non-Christian and its values, standards and lack of morals permeated the population.  Satan can be in only one place and in Revelation we are told he can be in a human body.  But he has an efficient organization of millions of fallen angels and demons that are against Christianity and the world. They are everywhere and they are super active.

Las Vegas, like Pergamum, can be the most difficult place for a Christian to live because of the tremendous Satanic and sinful influences.  Las Vegas, as in Pergamum, many Christians have stayed true and faithful to the teachings of Christ.  However, in Las Vegas like Pergamum, believers can be easily deceived.  Some Christians believe they can co-exist with the world and believe that living as the world does is acceptable to God.

For a republic to work as the U.S. is, it requires a nation with morals.  Look at Mexico!  If they were established on Christian principles, had our constitution, our legal system and our form of Government would they have similar results?  They don’t and millions have fled in order to feed their families.   In fact, we have put up fences and patrol our borders to keep them out.  Could they at this time establish our form of government?  No!  They are not a Christian nation or a generally moral nation as most countries are not.

What has always made the United States different?  The foundation of our country was created on Christian principles—to love God and love our neighbor.  Sure, many no longer live by Christian principles but it is our constitution, our form of government and the average American’s acceptance, realizing the necessity to conform to Bible principles in order to live in the greatest nation in the world.   Though corruption exists there are enough honest, hardworking men and women with the integrity to be productive within the system.

What would happen if the average American were to no longer be guided by Christian beliefs?  We would lose our freedom and rely on the government to meet our needs.  We would become very much like many of the European nations.  Does it sound familiar?

If we continue to believe that Nevada needs to be more diversified, accept anything, such as same-sex marriage, polygamy and other forms of sexual orientation that the Bible prohibits, what will happen to our country?  History tells us there is little chance of surviving as a superpower.  Should we not be concerned with what is happening in our city and state?  Do we just let whatever happens, happen?  Is it time we start letting our legislators know that we need to be more restrictive as to how diversified we become.

Here is what I want you to consider from what I am hearing.  There is an activist group that will be using the same tactics that gays, lesbians and the same-sex marriage group used to become acceptable.  Their promotion will be making polygamy a way of life.  The best time to oppose is before they start getting this life-style acceptable.  Think it can’t happen?  Look how many Americans have accepted immoral behavior, according to Scripture, the past 50 years.

Fear is one of the most stressful emotions we can have.  If you want to get stressed out and develop an unhealthy body, let fear control you constantly.  Are you worried about your finances, loss of a job, family problems, what disaster will happen next?  Fear comes from ignoring the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  We are people too busy living in a fast-paced world with too little time and attention on spiritual things.

Fear can be so devastating that the Bible addresses it a number of times.  1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  Fear many times keeps us from taking risks because we may be afraid of failing.

Fear is real and it can debilitate.  Though fear is real, we need not give in to it or allow it to misdirect our decisions.  Fear can inhibit us from not only using our talents and abilities, but also from reaching our full-potential.  And worse, we will be robbed of our peace and joy.  Once we identify fear in our lives, we can relegate it to its proper place: under the control of the Holy Spirit.  God does not want us to unreasonably fear: rather, He wants us to trust Him for everything we need.  Then we are free to pursue and fulfill our God-ordained purpose in life.

Having experienced life without negative fear gives peace, calmness and a sense of success that makes each day an enjoyable experience and a feeling of accomplishment.  We were created with emotions to be able to love and to fear.  Faced with a roaring lion hopefully, your reaction would be fear.  But facing a serious problem does not need to be feared.  Where did fear come from?

Genesis 3:9 – 10 – “But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”   He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”  This was the first time we heard a person could be fearful.  It was a result of sin and rebellion against God.  How often is your fear caused by not putting God first or listening to the direction of the Holy Spirit?

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:13 – “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Do you believe in God’s promises?  How capable are you being able to trust Him?  Are you able to recognize that the Holy Spirit is with you as God says?  Can you believe that God will take your right hand and tell you “Do not fear?

Step one is to believe and trust that this is what God said and it also applies to every Christian.  Assuming you have accepted the above premise, what can we draw from it?  God is with us.  He places the Holy Spirit into our lives as a direct contact to God.  The Holy Spirit is the same as God being with us.  He says He is our God and will have a personal relationship with us.  He tells us that He is capable of giving us power to deal with every situation in life.  He does not imply that we will win every time.  Yet, we can deal with anything while being calm and with peace.  It is only when we focus on the problem that we become distraught, when we should be focusing on how God is going to help us solve this situation.  While dealing with whatever is confronting us, are we asking for that power that God promises to give us?  Isn’t the usual circumstance we face, I will deal with everything by myself?   This is the mistake many of us make.

Step two is to think of every fear you may have.  Do you know what caused it?  Do you know how to eliminate it from being a fear?  Have you accepted that you are a member of God’s family and that He wants to help you?  (You must feel accepted.)  Do you have the confidence that anything can be handled with God’s power?  (I accept God’s promise that He will give me strength and help me.)  Finally you must believe that no matter what happens God knew it was going to happen and He did not intervene to stop it.  Therefore, it must be a learning experience.

Read the first chapter of the Book of Daniel.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their lives in jeopardy by putting God first and refusing to eat the royal food.  Daniel 1:17 – Scripture said to these four “God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.  And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds”.  We are told, as Daniel and the others, we must put God first in everything and see what happens.  But do we?   It is most difficult to subdue our carnal nature of self-centeredness.

Luke 12:24 – 26 – “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!   Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?   Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

Romans 8:15 – “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.”  Is it too difficult to accept the promises that Christ made when telling us not to worry or be enslaved by fear?

We may understand that we have no reason to fear and accept liberation from it, but we may not instantly be “cured” of fearing.  God, in His love and wisdom, may allow all sorts of problems to enter our lives.  But we’re not left on our own to deal with them; He helps us through our struggles and disasters.  He continually stretches our trust so we can break through the “wall of fear” and rely on Him, trusting Him more and more.  Unless we see God bailing us out of tough or even terrifying trials, we may find it difficult to lean on Him and trust Him to be with us during our times of need.

Many Christians seldom realize that God allows failure to lead them in a different direction.  A number of lessons can be learned from failure.  For one thing, it strengthens us spiritually.  For another, failure not only teaches us to be dependent upon the Holy Spirit, but also it opens up unlimited possibilities.  Every circumstance in life, including failure, can become an eventual blessing according to Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  So how do we overcome fear?  We place absolute trust in God.

What I have learned.  Think negative thoughts and negative things happen.  Think positive thoughts and positive things happen.  As you think you will see those results.  Is this God’s answer to our thoughts?

You must have more faith than I have to believe in evolution.  To consider that a “Big Bang” occurred and everything began evolving.  The human body with its millions of cells, animals of all kinds, the numerous birds and the fish in the sea all just happened, randomly.    

It is not difficult for me to believe in a God that created everything and then inspired men, by His Spirit, to write and tell us how it was done.  They begin the Bible by stating that God created the heavens, the earth and all that is in them from nothing.  He did it all in six days.  The Bible does not indicate that there were twenty-four hour days.  II Peter 3:8 – “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

When man was created he was given a body that would not die.  The earth had not been cursed and there was a mild climate.  It did not rain and everything was irrigated from underground watering systems.  There were no storms.  People and animals had different diets and were vegetarians.  As I read Scripture it appears that humanity will go through a complete cycle and some day the new heaven and new earth will be as God had originally created the first earth.  God will allow man to begin life as He first created, with immortal bodies and life forever, knowing the price of sin and what it can cause.   There will be no death, pain or sorrow in eternity for those having accepted Christ as their Savior.   

Because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion the earth became cursed, man became corrupt and violence was so out of control that God sent a mighty flood to destroy the out-of-control humanity.  We have discovered fossils buried in rock layers proving that this actually happened. 

Through Noah and his family God allowed the human race to live and multiply again.  The earth again became filled with violence, corruption, unhealthy situations and fear of death.  All was a result of man’s continual sin and rebellion.  God knew that the only way man could change was to send His Son who would die and be resurrected for our sins.  Through our belief in Christ we can be forgiven and can receive the Spirit of God Who will allow us to develop the “mind of Christ”.  Hopefully, through Christ’s teaching and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can live the way God originally intended.  That is to love God with all of our being and others as ourselves.  This is the way it will be when Christ comes to rule for a thousand years and then on the new earth and the new heaven for all eternity.

The Bible tells me that God knows everything, can create anything and everything runs according to the laws He has put in place.  It amazes me to know the number of Christians who do not believe the Bible is the infallible word of God who knows everything.  Bill O’Reilly, of Fox News, a Christian does not believe Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish that God created as well as other such stories.  If God can create the world out of nothing, can He not create a fish that would allow a man to stay alive for three days inside that fish?  Why is that so hard to believe?

At this point I must ask:  “Is it easier to believe in evolution, a religion, created by men or the Bible inspired by an omnipotent God?”  If you chose evolution then we can never really be sure about anything.  What is truth?  Does evolution provide predictions of the future as Bible prophecy does?  What about the story of Abraham and the Israelites and all that was foretold then has happened?  What are the chances that my body and my mind came from a random process; what are the odds? 

Christ made us aware that God wanted man to accept Him by faith and not by signs and miracles.  If God was so apparent, man would have little choice.  For man to have free moral agency that allows him to make choices of right or wrong, requires faith.  Otherwise God could have created robots that would do everything they were told to do.  However, God has given us enough evidence to overcome any doubt that we might have, as to whether we can believe He is who He says He is.   

 There are a number of scientists that believe they can prove the Bible is wrong.  They believe they have carbon dating and techniques that prove the earth has been in existence for 4.5 billion years.  Is it possible that their assumptions and techniques are correct and the Bible is wrong—only if you do not want to trust the infallible Word of God? 

However, I know that scientists have difficulty proving the past.  No matter what some scientists will tell us, there are Christian scientists that can prove their theories wrong.  The same is true as to whether global warming or climate change is man-made or following God’s laws.  I believe if they were man-made, the Bible would have forewarned us to be careful in using carbon fuels.  Therefore, I accept what the Bible tells me as God inspired and not what some men believe that they know better and that God does not exists and the Bible is just the dream of different men.   

But we Christians have a God that will allow us to believe and think whatever we so desire.  But there is a price. If you believe the remote possibility that the Bible is not factual, then there will be a Day of Judgment when we will know for sure what we should have believed.  It will be too late then to change your mind if you have made the wrong choice and believed in evolution.

Many years ago, there was a ruler who had a dream.  In the dream God asked him: “Ask whatever you want me to give you.”  The ruler replied: “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around.  And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!  Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”  God said to him, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people—  I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!”  This story is found in I Kings chapter three and II Chronicles chapter one about King Solomon.

If the typical Christian had the same dream today how many would have requested security?  Would we want to be protected from harm, not worry financially and have good health?  Others may request fame, power and a successful career.  Wouldn’t it be better to have the mind of Christ and heavenly wisdom?  If we could only see everything through the eyes of Christ and see life from God’s viewpoint we would probably make different decisions.  Would it not be better to understand God’s ways which are different from the ways of the world?

What have we made the most important things in our lives?  Is our mind still on the things of the world or do we have the same mindset as Christ?  We are to imitate Christ in how we live.  How many believe they have reached that point?  Actually, if we are spiritually mature we would say none of us.  Yet, this is what we are told we must do, is to develop the “mind” of Christ and the wisdom that comes with it.

We know if Christ were in our place God would be first, family second, others third and then the career would follow.  How many Christians really place God first and truly trust Him?  We can judge ourselves by our love for Him, are we committed, obedient to Christ’s teaching such as tithing, serving, etc.  How about our families?  Do we spend time with them doing things as a family?  Too many guys put jobs or careers first and playing golf or another hobby or spending time elsewhere.  The family gets whatever time is leftover and that is not always quality time.  It is difficult to change from having a worldly and selfish mind to having a mindset as Christ.

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

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

James 1:5 – 6 – “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”

Do you realize most unhappy people are those who are wealthy?  Having prosperity without the wisdom to handle it properly can lead to being unsatisfied, stressed and unhappy.  According to Scripture a person’s career, finances, power or fame can only bring temporary satisfaction.  Anytime God is not first in a person’s life pride can screw life up.  Only God can give us the wisdom to manage what we have the best.

What I have learned from so many older people.  Those who have become prosperous have spent much of their lives planning for the future.  When they get this much they will buy this.  When they get more they will do something different.  They have big plans for what they will do in retirement.  Some never make retirement and some do not have the health to do what was planned once they retire. God’s ways are to have a balance in life.  That only comes when we put God first and we have the heavenly wisdom to know how to live life from God’s viewpoint.

No joy, no assurance, unworthy, just feeling guilty? Things look easier than they really are. Do you struggle with instant gratification or feeling entitled? You can’t change your outside, behavior or lifestyle, until you change the inside. You cannot always change the inside without help. God, knowing that, offered His Spirit to assist in that change. Are you willing to allow Him to do so?

John 10:10 tells us, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” KJV

Are we enjoying life like Christ intended? As Christians shouldn’t we be living an extra-ordinary life style? God created an ugly old worm, called a caterpillar that crawls along the ground with all kinds of obstacles blocking its way. After a time, this worm is instantaneously transformed into an insect called a butterfly, which is one of the most graceful and beautiful of all insects. What kind of life are we living, like the caterpillar or the butterfly? As a result of sin and our self-centered nature, we were born ‘caterpillar-like’. But Christ came to offer us a ‘butterfly-like’ life. If God can transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, can’t He transform a sinner into one of His children? The Bible says God will bring our life into a new dimension, as a forgiven person with a changed nature that can rid one’s self of guilt.

(“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17). As a caterpillar, I face death. As a butterfly, the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

Most normal people have to deal with guilt in their lives. Guilt is an emotion and can be one of the most damaging emotions we can have. The greater our guilt the more harmful it can be to our health, relationships with others and our daily performance. Guilt can impair any positive thoughts and develop in one’s self, a very low self-esteem.

Guilt does not necessarily result from something bad we have done, but it can. It may be from failing to meet expectations we or others have placed on us. It may be a result of a poor family relationship or a misunderstanding in which we blame ourselves. Blaming ourselves takes on guilt. Guilt, not controlled, can develop into the belief that we do not deserve the better things in life and that may result in establishing a low self-esteem into the future.

A person, regardless of their age, can carry the baggage of guilt and low self-esteem as they approach school, a job or a relationship with another believing they are not good enough to do well or excel. They may face life’s challenges with a low feeling of self-worth and a lack of confidence. A person believing they have no right to be successful can develop a self-fulfilling prophecy and never meet the potential that God created in them.

Once we understand that guilt can affect our attitudes, our thoughts and even cause a negative mind-set or bad behavior we must recognize it must be controlled. Many youngsters today come from dysfunctional families and end up in prison.

What is one to do to eliminate guilt? If you were to ask Dear Abby she would tell you to get a good psychologist. The one who knows you best and can provide the best advice is God. How badly do you want to improve?

Ephesians 4:22 & 24 – “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

God knows how important it is to overcome guilt in a person’s life. God, through Jesus Christ, made it possible that all past sins and guilt can be forgiven. Any person who accepts Christ as their Savior and accepts the promises of God can become a new person as Scripture states. One, speaking from experience, a person can become a new person and the old can be erased. It may not happen overnight but it occurs as soon as a person understands that God’s Spirit comes to live within them and through a process, continually changes them if they will allow Him to do so.

The Holy Spirit and Scripture teach us that God loves us, will guide us and give us a new mind-set that allows us to deal with guilt and low self-esteem. As a believer and child of God who realize we were created to be Christ-like in true righteousness and holiness, we should develop a positive pride, confidence in ourselves and a great self-image. It may not be easy to accept this concept because Satan uses guilt to stifle us from reaching our full-potential. Therefore, we must be careful to whom we listen. If you keep thinking you cannot be changed to what God meant you to be, you are listening to the wrong voice. Much of it boils down to how much faith do you have? Do you believe God created you or anyone else to be a failure rather than to be successful and prosper? But that is not the devil’s plan. It is to deceive us, degrade us, distress us and destroy us. He would like nothing better than to defeat you through guilt and past sins. You have a choice as to who you listen and who you want to be.

If you have been reading my blogs you will know that I believe everything starts with realizing that God loves us unconditionally. Study the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. No matter how bad Hosea’s wife, Gomer was God still loved her. The Book was written to let us know, regardless of our past, God still loves us and He will remove all guilt if we understand the nature and character of God.

I would like to point out what Scripture teaches about the blessings available to each believer.  We were created by God with a specific purpose.  It makes no difference who our parents are or how dysfunctional our lives may have been.  God can change our lives so that we might become a new person with unique potential and abilities.  Yet, the devil will try to deceive and accuse us of not being worthy and we will never accomplish our God-given purpose.  It is so easy for some of us to never try to be what God wants us to be.

There are many different beliefs as to what our opportunities are.  I believe God created each of us with an equal opportunity to succeed.  I do not believe God meant for each of us to be guaranteed an equal outcome.  We all realize that some have a greater opportunity than others but that is due to one’s health and mental capacity.

A question that most ask is:  “What does God want me to be”?  The answer is not a specific thing or He would not have given us free moral agency, the ability to make choices.

From the moment we were born God had a plan for each one of us.  We can accept or reject!  We all know that our body’s carnal and self-centered nature will reject God and His plan at least for a time.  It is up to our soul and spirit if we want to accept God and what He has planned.  If we receive Christ as our Savior this requires a commitment and obedience to His will.  Once we believe, we must prepare for temptations and trials that will come.  Probably the stronger our will and the more self-control we have our testing will be greater.  We must know God’s general Will for those who have become Christians before we get to His plan.

I Thessalonians 5:16 – 19 – “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;”

These are important verses for people, especially if they find themselves in troubling times being tested and going through life’s trials.  We are to have an attitude of prayer at all times.  How else are we to develop a relationship with God?  As Evil tempts, the bad decisions we make or problems coming from others never come from God.  However, God allows what happens in our lives.  But no matter the circumstance we find ourselves in, as believers, the Holy Spirit is with us to encourage and guide us through it.  We are to give thanks that God’s Spirit is there with us.  His Spirit can give us peace and joy. And God’s Will can be fulfilled by each of us.  We must learn to trust God completely and in all things.  We must believe He is in charge of everything in our lives.

Each day we are told to “pray continually”.  That doesn’t mean on our knees throughout the day.  It requires an attitude of prayer as we go about living our lives.  We are to give thanks to God and live filled with “joy always”.  Throughout the day we must not ignore the Holy Spirit who is there to help us.

Are we enjoying life like Christ intended?  As Christians shouldn’t we be living an extra-ordinary life style?  God created an ugly old worm, called a caterpillar that crawls along the ground with all kinds of obstacles blocking its way.  After a time, this worm is instantaneously transformed into an insect called a butterfly, which is one of the most graceful and beautiful of all insects.  What kind of life are we living, like the caterpillar or the butterfly?  As a result of sin and our self-centered nature, we were born ‘caterpillar-like’.  But Christ came to offer us a ‘butterfly-like’ life.  If God can transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, can’t He transform a sinner into one of His children?  The Bible says God will bring our life into a new dimension.  (“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17).  As a caterpillar, I face death.  As a butterfly, the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:2)

Christ’s principle on earth was “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will” (John 5:30 nlt ). The Son did nothing on His own. That total denial of self is our ultimate goal in serving God. Everything Christ did laid the groundwork to fulfill His death on the cross and His resurrection. After He was resurrected, He told His disciples that they would receive “power from on high.” He was referring to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. That power was the ability, talents, and confidence to live as Christ taught we should live, and in so doing we would walk in the Spirit. With this power, we can become obedient to God’s will and ways. Without the Holy Spirit, our flesh, or carnal nature, is in control and could not meet God’s requirements.

Too many people become Christians and mistakenly believe they do not have to study Scripture or pray, that they can live a godly life on their own. Sadly, they are just professing Christians without the power from God, struggling each day and wondering why living a Christian life is so difficult. They question where is the promised joy, peace, and love? They must come to the understanding that the Bible instructs us to surrender our old nature and let the new nature control, which God gives us when we receive the Holy Spirit. God will not force Himself on us. For the power to work, He must control but only with our permission. Are you ready to let Him have that control so you can walk in the Spirit?

Have you ever thought: Thank God I am not what I should be but I am much better than I use to be? We can believe in God but often it is difficult believing in ourselves. Do we believe that God is all powerful and in control? Then is it possible that it is God’s power that changes Christian’s behavior and lifestyle if they repent and it’s not by their own strength? How much credit do we give God in changing who we are or do we believe any change is entirely up to us? If you believe change is totally up to each of us, then you probably feel unworthy as many Christians do.

So you don’t live a perfect life. Do you know anyone in the Bible, but Christ, who did? Don’t you realize the reason God has given you His Spirit was because He knew we could not make a drastic change in how we live by ourselves. Yet we keep on trying by our own will and we keep failing. We live and believe as if this life of Christian perfection is entirely up to us. The result is that unworthy feeling. We are negatively influenced by Satan’s emissaries that God is not pleased with us.

We realize our part is surrendering this selfish nature we were born with. We are taught that we can surrender that nature only when we learn to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind and others as ourselves. It doesn’t seem that true surrender can be accomplished until we learn to love God and others. We must surrender this selfish nature in order to love God and others. It is this love of God and others that gives us a completely different perspective as to how we are to live and treat others.

Timothy 1:12 – 17 – “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

Paul was chosen by Christ to take the gospel to the Gentiles and much of the New Testament tells of his past. He was the worst of sinners. He says we should look at him and see how desperate he was. He then praises God and says if He can save me, empower and strengthen me, then by His grace He can and will do it for anyone. That means any of us who feel we are not worthy to be saved and changed.

Scripture says that Paul did not exaggerate his past. He approved the stoning of Stephen. His purpose, prior to being converted, and ultimate goal was to destroy Christianity and the church. He went from home to home dragging people off to prison. He yelled murderous threats to the Lord’s disciples. He was a huge part of the Jewish persecution of Christians. The Jews put some to death and others were placed into prisons. He did whatever he could to oppose the followers of Christ.

Regardless of everything that Paul said and did, once saved, God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit gave him the love for both believers and unbelievers. What Paul lacked God supplied. What He did for Paul He can and will do for each one of us because of His grace. As we know, grace is a gift and cannot be earned. Yet, many believers struggle with grace, which is given through Jesus Christ, believing that they must work and earn their way to heaven. Too often we set ourselves personal standards that we cannot reach or the church or church people do it for us. Frustrated and discouraged by not meeting these “so called” man-made requirements, we feel like failures and unworthy to be children of God.
Do we allow our past sins or baggage to determine who we are today? Do we dwell on our past or live for the future? Over the years I have met with a number of Christians and find that many really struggle with the feeling of being unworthy. To some degree I think most of us have at times felt that way.

I believe Paul was an example of how a person’s past can be overcome when the Holy Spirit enters the life of a person and we become born again. Does it sound like Paul dwelt on the past or lived for the future? God’s power to forgive sins and start us with a clean slate should make us think like a new person eliminating our old self. But does it? It depends on our knowledge of the Bible, our faith and the ability to trust God’s promises. Do you struggle with: “How could God possibly forget my past sins and some of the things I do now?” That might be like asking how God created the universe. Do you think He is unable to erase your past sins and forget about your need to be punished?

Ephesians 1:3 – 6 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” NLT

Most are uncomfortable giving the Lord complete control, like our money or other assets. Repentance at salvation is a singular event while true surrender is an ongoing process. Many have never willingly surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and so they find this to be very challenging. As a result, there is little change in their lives and behavior. If there is little change, is it hard to believe God has adopted you and truly loves you? So if you do not see yourself as God says He sees you, whose fault is it?

In order to grasp the idea of a surrendered life, we must first realize as Christians that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Second, we must accept that God has always loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. (Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could love ourselves as God loves us or see ourselves as God sees us?) Third, God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. How does it feel to be one of God’s children?

Because of our self-centered nature, love must be learned.  None of us were born by accident.  God created each one of us with a specific purpose.  However, we were given a nature that requires a need for change.  Our old nature was given to help us survive.  Yet, that nature must be trained in order for God’s purpose to be fulfilled.   God requires a new and changed nature in all of us if we are to become a part of His family.  There are also certain requirements that must be met.

Jewish religious leaders had become so involved in their culture, sacrifices, traditions and rules that they failed to love God or others.  So a Religious leader asked Jesus, of the 613 Jewish laws what was the most important.

Luke 10:27 – Christ answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 – 7 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The religious leader understood that the law required total devotion to God and to love one’s neighbor.

We realize that Jesus was saying, it isn’t the laws or obedience that matter.  It is our love and relationship with God and others.  If we loved God and others with an unselfish love, the laws would not matter.  However, most people have never really learned how to love unconditionally and that includes Christians.

Chances are if a Christian has never learned to surrender their self-centered nature, they have never really learned to love the way God loves us.  Particularly men who believe being macho, love is not an attractive attribute.  Love for many is selfish and is given to get what they desire.  It is possible to be so self-centered that we never learn to love others.  We may say the right things, be kind and gentle but only doing so that we might be acceptable.

We were created to have a loving relationship with God and others.  Everyone has within them a need to be loved and most do everything they can to fulfill that longing.  Many became Christians because they did not want to go to Hell.  If this is you, you may be missing out on what God has reserved for you.  In fact, you could possibly find that not knowing how to love as God loves us is what may be causing your struggles as a Christian.

God promises us that if we love Him and keep His commandments He will be with us at all times.  He tells us that He will meet our needs.  He also states that He will answer our prayers.  We know He will forgive our sins.  He promises to give us fruits of the Spirit to make our lives easier.  He will give us gifts to equip us to have a productive life.  With His Spirit we can make right and moral decisions.  Christ tells us He has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us.  Would we not want to love someone capable of providing these kinds of promises to each one of us?

If you truly know what unconditional love is like you will want to obey Him.  Would you not want to serve Him and share Him with others?  Love develops a trust and a desire to fellowship through worship.  How could I not support Him with my tithes and time?  Someone you love you want to know more about.  This is why I study His Word to have a better understanding and serve Him better.  Therefore, I have learned to forgive others, control my anger and stop my sinning because I know it will please Him.

You may have a problem that you do not feel worthy to receive God’s love or blessings from Him.   Where did that thought come from?  Recognize you have a battle going on consistently in your mind trying to persuade you into making choices.  A believer must call on the Holy Spirit to run interference for them.  Knowing God has a plan for you, don’t be satisfied with anything less than what you dream you could be or do.  It is highly possible that dream came from God; and it is a blessing that God is waiting to provide, if you are obediently living according to His Will and have the faith to believe He will do it.  However, if you have never learned to love unconditionally and have not sensed or felt God’s love for you, you are missing so much.  It may be difficult to give love to God and others if you have never discovered God’s love for you.  It may be something you must pray for daily until you feel it and know you have it.

Colossians 3:1 – 5 “ Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Once you learn how to love unconditionally your whole life will change.  The blessings you may have been missing might just start showing up.  God’s love for you is such that He wants to continually bless you.  Do you think if you pray for the ability to love, that the Holy Spirit won’t teach and inspire you to love?   Pray for God’s love and see what happens in your life.