Christians were asked in a poll: What keeps you from witnessing more?  The unexpected answer was: I am not proud of the way I live and I don’t want to come across as a hypocrite.  I might suppose if we were aware of the way many Christians live we wouldn’t be surprised at the answer.  Over the years I have witnessed Christians doing things that would make one wonder if they were even saved.  But it is not for any of us to judge.

Whoever said living a Christian life would be easy?  The Apostle Paul having written much of the New Testament said in Romans 7:15 – 16 – “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.”

We must never underestimate the power of sin and never try to fight it without the power of the Holy Spirit.  We must understand we are surrounded by Christians trying to live up to Christ’s teachings and standards in their own strength, frustrated, disillusioned, depressed and close to giving up.

Romans 7:17 – 20 –  “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

It is so much easier to trust in our own strength, which is our comfort zone, than trusting in God or Christ.  Too often we fail to rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit that God has given us, knowing we cannot surrender to our self-centered, selfish natures that seem to control our behavior.

Ephesians 1:13 – 14 – “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

When we are saved our proof is being sealed by the Holy Spirit.  It is our guarantee that we have been forgiven, redeemed and have become adopted into the family of God.  If we do not have the Spirit of God within us we do not belong to Christ.  The Spirit is the guarantee of coming immortality, a guarantee of our inheritance and the pledge given to believers by God to assure them that the glory of the life to come, promised in the gospel, will actually happen to them.

John 15:4 – 5 –  “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

That ought to be our clue that “apart from me you can do nothing”.  The next question may be: what does it take to get connected and bear fruit?

Many people try to live a moral, good and honest life.  However, Scripture says the only way this can be done is by following Christ and live as He taught.  We must be connected into Christ for our nourishment.  If not we could be missing the special fruits and gifts that He has available for us.  We are told we cannot, in most situations, live a holy and righteous life in our own strength.  It requires the Holy Spirit’s power that is available to us.  We are told without the Spirit we can do nothing to constantly comply with God’s commandments.  It is not possible to live a Christian life on our own.  There are millions who have proved this Scripture to be true.

Unfortunately, not everyone who accepts the Holy Spirit accepts Him without reservations and conditions. Many believers are not willing to stop living as the world lives. We are told we must repent and live differently.  However, many are not willing to surrender this carnal, selfish nature that we were born with.

We receive the Holy Spirit but are unwilling to allow Him control over our lives because we may feel surrendering our life would keep us from being the success we so desire. When the Holy Spirit checks us, too often we ignore Him, for what He’s bringing to our attention that needs changing interferes with our lifestyles or ambitions. When we want something, we deliberately do not pray about it because we don’t want to be told no. For example, a person buying a home in 2005 that they could not afford in 2009.  Then, when crises come and the home is undervalued from the mortgage, they wonder why God allowed the crises to happen. The Bible says we must develop the mind of Jesus and live as He instructed. That is not possible if we refuse to accept the Holy Spirit’s checks and guidance and refuse to surrender our selfish control with which we were created.

I have mentioned that over the past years our Bible study group meets every Friday.  We often discuss how difficult it is to stay in constant communication with the Holy Spirit.  Our self-centered nature assures us that we can make decisions on our own. We don’t need anyone’s help.  In fact, it seems we have a tendency to ignore the Holy Spirit except during daily prayer time.  Yet, we realize that God gave us a Helper to live the life God intended.  There are numerous Scriptures that tell us of the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us.  Then what seems to be the problem that allows us to ignore or refuse to ask the Holy Spirit for help throughout the day?  We believe it is either the unwillingness or inability to surrender and completely allow the power of the Holy Spirit to control.  Is this thinking that we can do what we do better than if God were to help?  Do we not believe that God can open doors and He can also close them?  Do we forget that God can control our destiny?  Do we think that God wants us to be failures and poor?  (Unless He has a plan for something greater in our future. Or we refuse His help!)

Recognize, we must surrender who we were?  It is our self-centered nature, out of control, that is capable of sinning.  We are constantly struggling with, should we do it my way or God’s way?  Our battle is whether we rely on our strength or trust in the Spirit of God that is within us.

Surrendering our self-centeredness is not something that is instantaneous as raising a white flag on the battlefield.  Surrender seems to become a daily struggle.  If there is such a thing as a complete surrender to the Holy Spirit it comes only when one becomes spiritually mature.  It would be like believing we no longer are self-centered, which will never completely happen.

I have met Christians who seemed to have totally surrendered. They appear to have a life of hope, joy and peace.  No situation seems to distress them.  They totally rely upon the Holy Spirit to meet their every need.  They never seem to worry.  They believe that all things work to the glory of God.  Whatever hand is dealt to them, they feel confident to play it out knowing God has a plan and purpose.

If you are a Christian struggling with life in general, you may want to assess whether you are surrendering daily more of your self-centeredness nature.  Shouldn’t we all be accepting the Holy Spirit’s guidance, doing life God’s way?  Surrendering may be the hardest part of living a Christian life.

Matthew 6:33 – 34 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Belonging to a church that had over 55,000 in attendance on all campuses for Christmas and seeing thousands converted to Christianity yearly I was surprised at the number of people in America disassociating with Christianity or any other religion.  A 2012 poll indicates many Americans have no religious attachment whatsoever.  According to the Pew Research Center poll of 35,000 indicates that fewer adults yearly are affiliated with any Christian or religious organization.  Their poll shows that 19.6% have no affiliation and the numbers have been gradually rising.  Many of those with no religious affiliation indicated they were politically left of center.

There are indications that a number of Americans are not pleased with the free market capitalistic economy and prefer European Socialism or social justice.  Social justice is associated with everyone being treated equally in human rights, position and wealth.   It includes a belief in redistribution of wealth, individually and nationwide.  They stress big government and many entitlement programs.

It used to be that there were politicians who leaned to the left and others leaned to the right.  It wasn’t too difficult to reach agreement as to what was best for Americans.  Younger politicians have gone further and further to the left and other politicians backed by The Tea Party have gone farther and farther to the right.  When two people differ a little bit it isn’t so hard to reach agreements.  When both are ultra extreme in their beliefs it is almost impossible to reach any type of agreement.  It doesn’t seem as reaching agreements are as important as to who gets to win.

As a number of Americans are being raised with no religious background they developed a different set of morals.  In fact, some seem to have little understanding of the difference between what is right and what is wrong.  They have no religious moral compass to guide the direction they are headed.  So what direction is America headed?

Deuteronomy 28:1 – 9 – “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.  All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:   You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.   The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.   Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.   You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.  The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.   The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.”  NIV

In the past 100 or so years, we have had so many inventions that have made life more simple and easy.  Some of us grew up at a time when we didn’t have electricity in our home.  We had no phone, TV, radio, indoor bath, running water and cars were driving at average speeds of upwards of 35 miles per hour.  Most everyone knew what it was like to work doing laboring jobs.  Most jobs were done manually.  Farmers used farm mowers and pitch forks to store the winter hay.  Most farm work was done by horses or mules.  Today one or two people can do the work of what used to take five or ten men to do, with the invention of modern equipment and technology.

We have so many new products and inventions that it has taken away much of a person’s ambition.  We rely on machines to serve our every need.  Technology and new gadgets are taking over and people are losing their jobs.  The government then has come to the rescue with their many welfare programs making it unnecessary for a person to have a job or be dependent upon God to meet their needs.  Most Christian Americans have believed our individual rights come from our Creator, not from our government.  Our present administration does not seem to agree.

I believe this has affected people’s need to become dependent on a God who wants us to be depending upon Him rather than a government.  Many religious individuals have become so accustom to taking, that they expect God to meet their every need.  When this doesn’t happen, they find a reason to believe there is no God or the world wouldn’t be in the mess it is today.   Since society is meeting most of their needs and they can’t see a visible God, why is it important to be religious or have a personal relationship with Christ or God? It appears many are falling away from the faith.  It isn’t hard for me to understand why 19.6% have no spiritual or religious affiliation.

I would like for those 19.6% to consider the following:  Normally as children we just grow up.  We go through grade school and enter high school.  We get a driver’s license, finish school and possibly get married.  We then start the cycle over again for our children.  How often do we stop and think: what is my purpose in life and what direction should I be taking? Why have I been put on this earth?  I am told that many older people close to death often wonder what their purpose on earth was and did they fulfill it?  Wouldn’t it be better to know there is a God and why God put us on this earth and then live for years accomplishing that purpose?  When our final day comes we can say we did our best to fulfill our purpose and helped others succeed while we were here.  I know some parents whose greatest achievement in life was raising their family.  Because of them, their children made the world a much better place.  You may find that many of those 19.6% are not really too concerned about anyone but themselves.  Those I have met seem to be much different from those who believe and worship a God.  We have always believed as a person thinks in their heart so are they.  If you think about only yourself and what turns you on, you may miss the purpose you could have been.

For those of us who believe in a God, find our purpose on earth is to develop an unconditional love for God and others and have a servant’s heart.  As we head down life’s path our carnal nature, our self-centeredness, the storms we encounter and the devil’s seducing spirits will try to guide us too often onto the wrong paths.  That’s when we check our guidance, the Holy Spirit, and make sure we stay directed to the path that leads to the ultimate goal, which is living with God and Christ forever.  When we take that last breath, what is the most important thing we can take with us?  Is it all of our material things that we have accumulated?  Or, is it eternal security?  Since there are so many death-bed conversions we must believe it is eternal security with Christ.

This past March I was doing research on Obamacare.  I obtained the following information.  “The Obama Health care bill under Class II (Paragraph 1, Section B) specifically includes ‘‘(ii) a class II device that is implantable.” Then on page 1004 it describes what the term “data” means in paragraph 1, section B:”  It goes on to give the information requiring the following:

“Approved by the FDA, a class II implantable device is an ‘implantable radiofrequency
transponder system for patient identification and health information.’ The purpose of a class II device is to collect data in medical patients such as claims data, patient survey data, standardized analytic files that allow for the pooling and analysis of data from disparate data environments, electronic health records, and any other data deemed appropriate by the Secretary.” I then learned it was finally deleted from the bill. 

I recently read that it is possible terrorists’ hackers, going into the Internet, could almost destroy the creditability of anyone’s identity.  They could also cripple our economic system by purporting to be someone they are not.  They could withdraw large sums of money, order quantities of merchandise to designations only to disrupt sending company’s business costs.  In other words, terrorist hackers could create havoc on the Internet and it is apparent we have no adequate defense at this time.

We have been allowing RFD chips to be implanted in pets.  Anytime a pet comes up missing, it can quickly be located.  It can also include any medical information applicable.  Any information could be placed on the chip.  It could be your age, your birth certificate, etc.   If everyone could positively identify themselves, fraud or theft could be avoided.  At this time it is not always possible and you have companies’ like LifeLock for protection from identity theft.

As a previous store manager it would be great to be able to pass a wand over a RFD chip implanted in a human’s hand to determine if this is the owner of the credit card presented or the check being cashed.  We would no longer have to ask for a driver’s license that could be a fake.  I would think a large percent of retailers would vote that in order to buy or sell anything one must prove who they were via the chip and wand. If chips were implanted in humans it could determine who was a legal or illegal immigrant.  For gun control it would show who was a felon and who was psychologically eligible.  The government could collect guns from those who should not have them.  It is possible progressives would support the “chip thing” also.

Technology is now available to begin implanting.  In the world there are approximately seven billion people.  I am told that within ten years every living soul could have the implant.  This would be in preparation of a one-world government and the rule of the Antichrist.

Revelation 13:16 – 17 – “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,  so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”

Suppose you had an opportunity to make millions.  If you did not have the mark it would not be possible.  There will be no black market or anyone willing to risk death to help anyone refusing the mark.

Faithful Christians will receive enlightenment from the Holy Spirit realizing Satan’s deceptive tactic.  It is my belief they will receive a Holy Spirit power that takes away the fear of death when confronted.  I believe the Bible stories where Christians became fearless.

The Bible says that those who allow the chip or mark to be implanted will show their allegiance to Satan.  Refusing the mark is to show one’s commitment to God.

Revelation 14:9 – 11 – “ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

There will be no hope for those who accept the mark or an implant.  (2000 years ago could the Apostle John describe an implant with anything other than to call it a mark?}  The Bible says everyone who receives the mark will encounter God’s wrath and will receive torment with burning sulfur for ever and ever.  That’s a fairly long time.  However, those who die for refusing to accept the mark will receive an eternal blessing from God.

No one knows the time when all of this will take place.  It could be many years in the future.  But the technology is available; it is just a matter of time when God lets Satan loose.  My suggestion is to be aware of what may happen in the future.  Pray that you have the faith, the knowledge and commitment to say no to taking whatever Satan requires, whether a mark or an implant.

I recently wrote a blog: The fulfillment of Bible prophecy will prove the accuracy of the Bible and that God is for real.  Prophecy tells us that as we get closer to the end times, the earth, as we know it, will continue to decay.

Romans 8:18 – 21 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”

The end times are drawing nearer according to what Scripture foretells.  This means we should be expecting the earth to deteriorate with earthquakes, famine and disease.  We might expect tremendous changes in weather.  However, Satan, the great deceiver, will try to convince the world it is all caused by man.  He will have them call it global warming or climate change.  Do not accept this propaganda.  The earth will change just as the Bible predicts.  Creation will be subjected to frustration by God who created it.  All of this will happen prior to Christ’s second return to earth to take up His role as our leader for 1,000 years.

The years ahead are going to be something so bad that man will realize that what God predicts can and will happen. Governments will blame all the problems on its people.  They will tax everything that can be taxed.  Powerful leaders will try to replace God with government rules and regulations.  Individuals will slowly give up their freedom and cede it to government.

Satan’s desire has always been to be in control and control humanity.  It has been God who has kept him under control.  There is a time when he will be given more freedom to do his damage.  Christians must be aware and knowledgeable of what is to come.  Otherwise, they may not have enough faith to withstand what is about to happen. Such as accepting the mark of the beast to buy and sell.

Christians should not be pessimistic.  When it is all over and Christ begins His reign, the earth will be changed into a garden, very similar to Eden. This earth will go through a complete rehab.   For 1,000 years we will live in a paradise so fantastic it is difficult to imagine.  Then a new heaven and new earth.

The believers who remained true to Christ through the end will be given these new bodies that are immortal like the body of Christ. The world will be free of sickness, sin and evil.   How we worship and live will be completely different as directed by the one Who created us.   Can you picture what God will dream up for this new earth?  Can you understand what a world will be like without sin and evil?  Is this something you would like to experience?

For those unbelievers and those who rebelled against God will no longer be a part of society.  Imagine what this world would be like without these people.  Put Christ in charge and everyone living according to His instructions; wouldn’t you want to be one of those who survived?  To top it off, you will have no worries, no pain or suffering and people will be positive and God-minded.

Once a person becomes a Christian the problem exists once the initial wave of enthusiasm passes, and it will, there is an inclination to settle into a kind of treadmill mentality. Once that excitement passes, life returns to dealing with the day to day pressures that surround us. So before any more steps are taken, we need to learn how to maintain momentum and stay charged. We must allow Christ to hold us accountable to staying true to living as Christ taught us to live. It is not easy to completely change from living as a sinner to living a “saintly” life. Old habits are difficult to break. Otherwise, we would have our weight under control and living much healthier lives. Our self-centered nature continues to want complete control. If we live to please Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us, our chance of living a Christian life improves greatly.

Every morning read the Bible for daily instructions. Then, as if you were making a telephone call, ask God to guide you through His Spirit throughout the day. There are times you may sense there was no connection and will not call again until possibly meal time. Learn that it is you who breaks the connection because God never hangs up.

You may think: what advantage may I have if I continue to stay connected. I don’t need God to make decisions as I have been doing it all my life. May I suggest that before every decision you make, ask God: “God, what will the unintended consequence be if I make this decision”? Read what Scripture says.

John 15:5 & 7 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” “ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

You may think: God’s Spirit is with you every second and you are never disconnected. How much do you ignore the advantage of having Him with you at all times. It may be that you think of God being in Heaven, when in reality He is with you right now. Therefore, your problem may be one of not being perceptive. If Jesus were standing next to you every minute of the day, would you be talking to Him? Though God’s Spirit is invisible He is within you and you can neither see nor hear Him; you may block out that the Spirit of Christ is watching and hearing everything that happens. Do you wonder if He would forewarn you if you were about to make a mistake? If you never ask, you know He would never interfere, but allow you to decide whatever you want.

Here is what I have learned. Scripture says if I stay connected to Christ I will bear much fruit. However if I stay disconnected I cannot do God’s Will on my own. If I do God’s will I am promised tremendous blessings. It is a conditional promise requiring that I must live according to the guidance God has laid out. This means I must have a continual discourse with Christ through the Holy Spirit to have God’s promises fulfilled. I then must ask: is it worth living a holy life? It depends on what kind of a life I want to deal with. It does not mean I will never encounter any problems, just that I will have someone to talk me through them.

I have learned that many Christians are not willing to surrender, deny themselves and follow the principles that Christ taught. The world and what it offers is just too appealing to them. Yet, it seems that being a Christian they find little difference from the life they had prior to their conversion. That doesn’t mean they are not saved, just missing the blessings and possibly the fruits of the Spirit. Then again, it may be that I have not interpreted Scripture correctly as follows.
So if I “remain in me (Christ)” means if I believe Jesus is the Son of God, He is Lord and Savior and He is doing what God says, I will bear much fruit. The much fruit is found in Galatians 5:22 – 23 – “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Jesus tells us the only way to live a holy life is to stay next to Him as if you were a branch connected to a tree. If you don’t you may not receive the gifts of the Spirit. Once you have received the gifts of the Spirit, you can ask for anything and it will be given to you. Realize once you have the fruits of the Spirit you will be careful what you ask for. But rest assured, when tragedy strikes, as it sometimes will, the Holy Spirit is there to bring you through it as a learning experience to help you prepare for life’s circumstance. Always remember—God never hangs up and the Holy Spirit, through Christ, is our Connector!

Sometimes God gives us gifts that come wrapped in trials and serious problems. We never know the consequence until the gift is unwrapped. It can be His way of building our faith and trust in Him. However, no matter what life brings I want to know the Holy Spirit will bring me through it. I have had a few of those problem gifts. As long as I have Christ as my accountability partner all things will work out for the good.

The more I study my Bible, especially the Old Testament, God was often punishing nations who were either disobedient or grossly sinful. He had Babylon attack Israel and took many captive. The Babylonians treated the Israelites so badly He sent other nations to attack and destroy them. He used Israel to punish and destroy other nations. The reason I point this out is I am a firm believer that God is in control and He either allows or causes things to happen to people and nations. It’s called tough love. Under the New Covenant He many times allows deferred punishment, if necessary, because He is a loving and forgiving God. He also allows people and nations to have free moral agency to chose right or wrong. God is not pleased when a nation worships Satan and his ways.

We have very contentious politics going on that could cause a fiscal crisis. We are so divided as a nation it is hard for agreements to be reached. Come January 2013 we could have higher taxes, spending cuts, mostly in defense and a huge budget deficit. The deficit is the difference between the amount the government receives from taxes and the amount it spends. The result could be a recession with jobs lost and further costly regulations.

I cannot remember in my lifetime when there were so much disagreements and a lack of leadership in Washington, D.C. Even under President Jimmy Carter, his administration tried to get along with the opposing party.

How do we solve the problem? Christ came as an example to show us how we are to live and treat each other as described by God. Christ, the Son of God, was able to know everything, be everyplace and have the power to control whatever He and God had created. He came as a baby, which limited Him as all humans are. He still had the power to control the weather, the sea, heal the sick, raise the dead or make wine out of water. Yet, He came as a servant to serve others rather than to be served. He set the example and instructed His disciples to also be servants. He emphasized love, forgiving, slow to anger and living joyful, peaceful lives. This is the major problem the world faces. Too many want to be takers and be served and too few desire to serve. The takers become angry and confrontational when they don’t get their way or receive what they think is owed them.

Philippians 2:3 & 4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Does this sound like the ways of the world? How many of our politicians appear to practice this?

Regardless of one’s position or occupation we are to serve each other. A doctor can serve and we can serve the doctor by repairing his car. We must treat each other with respect and common courtesy. The world just doesn’t have a servant’s heart. We are often just selfish, self-centered human beings. It appears the main thing that concerns our politicians is that they do whatever necessary to get re-elected. I have seen both sides jockeying for political position rather than doing what is best for our country. Instead of class warfare we need to be a nation promoting unity.

Read the history concerning the unity during World War II. Everyone was willing to do whatever was best for our country. Now we have people actually hating our economic system and wanting to destroy it. We have groups of people who are anti Christian. They are trying to stop the gospel of Jesus Christ from being taught anywhere. They no longer want to be part of a Christian nation. There are all kinds of lobbyists. Some people think more highly of tiny fish than allowing water to be used for irrigation of farm land.

Read the Old Testament and then try to decide what you think God may be doing. Based on past performance should He stop protecting us or should He continue to prosper and bless America regarding the way we as a nation are living and treating each other? Don’t you think it is time for the U.S. to repent and a national spiritual revival take place? What would be the response if this were to happen? Do you think God would then protect us from going over the fiscal cliff? Do you think our politicians would let it happen?

Here is what I believe. For centuries Americans were taught the Bible. No law could be enacted that contradicted the Bible. Many of our leaders were guided by God and the Holy Spirit. Once we stopped teaching the Bible and outlawing prayer in public places our leaders became influenced by Satan and his emissaries. Satan has taken control and many of our leaders have accepted his recommendations for living their lives and enacting laws that support his position. When a crisis comes who are they going to listen to God or Satan? Too many Americans are following the path laid out by Satan and reject the teachings of Christ and ignoring God and His Commandments. This is more evident in Washington, D.C. every day. Unless Americans change from being takers to becoming givers and servants, chances are little will change.

On the news or in the paper, many are asking for congress to do something about the control of guns and do it now.  The progressives never want a serious crisis go to waste.  The death of 27 at Newtown and other recent violence has to stop.  There are those who want all guns banished.  Every American wants this mayhem to cease.  How many really believe taking away guns will stop crime?  The way to stop what is happening is to return to the days when God was worshipped by the country as a whole.  We have allowed those promoting evolution to completely change the nation from what we have known in the past.

I believe America has lost some of God’s protection.  Too many who do not believe in God are forcing their beliefs on those who do believe and our leadership has allowed it.  They have changed how we teach our children, the news media, in general, support their belief and Hollywood plus, violent video games has done its part in promoting killing and immorality.

Those who have studied the Bible and particularly the Old Testament, realize what happens when a nation ignores God and worships material things instead.  Old Testament prophets, selected by God, would predict what God would do if they did not live by His commandments.  When they would not listen and refused to obey or repent He would discipline them through various hardships.  History proves that what was predicted occurred as God said it would.  You would think the Israelites, in particular, would learn to trust God in what He says, but they didn’t.

Jeremiah 22:8 & 9 – “People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?’  And the answer will be: ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”

Jeremiah 32:23 – “They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.

Those in favor of banishing guns, fail to remember the 69 youths killed in a heavily gun controlled Norway.  We have a form of gun control in Chicago and it is a city where the most murders are committed.  Guns are not the problem as much as crazy people inspired by today’s evil influences.

Our culture needs to return to teaching the Bible in school.  Prayers in public institutions should be allowed.  Leaders need to witness their belief in a God and make no laws that conflict with the Bible.  We need to return to being a Christian nation in action and not in name only.  We need to promote love and forgiveness.  Stop this class warfare and hatred.  Start living as God requires and bring back the protection and prosperity that God had provided for so many years to our nation.

You may have watched the carnage Friday 12/13/12 and your heart was probably broken. You then may have asked: “Why would God allow something like this to happen”? News broadcasters were reporting all this young man had done and wondered how a human could do such a thing, killing 20 children and six adults. You may have thought how evil does someone have to be to commit such a heinous crime.

Is he a product of his community or our country? Has television, movies and war games influenced our younger generation? Has leaving the Bible out of classrooms developed a generation of youth that do not know the difference between right and wrong or what’s moral or immoral?

The news said he was well prepared, equipped and well-organized to do what he did. Then you may have thought: how about the abortion clinics around our country? They kill helpless children every 18 second in a 24 hour day and have for years. These abortion clinics kill as many in eight minutes as he did and then wonder what is wrong with him, the Connecticut killer.

Study our country’s history. The Bible was once taught in every classroom in America and some Scripture was required to be memorized. They prayed, pledged the alliance to the flag and the Ten Commandments were hanging on the walls. Today we are told that saying Christmas is not politically correct. What about the nativity scenes that used to be in most every city? In the front of law books it stated that no law was to be enacted that was contrary to the Bible. This is what they taught at Harvard Law School many years ago.

No one has the right to take another’s life. Why is so much of this random shooting of innocent people becoming an often occurrence? The only way to stop this, according to some progressives is to get rid of hand guns, knives, screwdrivers, ice picks, antifreeze and everything else that people use to kill others. That would leave them only with their hands or rope. But is that really the answer?

We have a God problem! The problem is we started in the early 1960’s leaving God out of the lives of young adults and children through our educational system. We have had political leaders that were anti christ and anti God. They are not only unhappy with our political system they had uncontrollable lusts that morality was making them feel guilty.

So why didn’t God intervene this past week and stop this carnage from occurring? Read the Old Testament. The prophets repeatedly stated that if the people turned from God He would not protect them.

Jeremiah 16:10 – 12 – “When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the Lord our God?’ ‘Then you will give them the Lord’s reply: ‘It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me.” NLT

Jeremiah 17:10 – “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” NLT

Why did God allow Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed? Why did God allow the Israelites to be killed, plundered and taken into captivity?

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

As we come closer to the end-times it will only get worse. We are told there will be a time worse than anytime that has ever occurred before. With all of the sin in the world, people have allowed the evil one to influence their decisions and look what has happened. This is the kind of life the world has chosen. Read and study the Old Testament and see what happened when people started worshipping other Gods or demons. Christ said that He would be the gate that would protect His people. Scripture also indicates that gate could swing open and all sorts of problems would result. There would be no protection for a sinful world.

The world is getting exactly what prophecy foretells. You live a sinful life and consequences will happen. You will cry out: “Why God did you allow this to happen”? If you want to know the answer, read your Bible. When we are God’s people He takes care of us, He protects and makes us prosper. When we deny Him, He allows the demons to have more and more control over people’s lives, their behavior and their actions. We should be prepared for more disasters to come. Because there is no indication the world is turning back to God and living by His Ways.

Are you still wondering why God allowed this to happen or other disasters to occur? The answer is found in the Bible. Unless you have the Holy Spirit you may not be inspired to find the answer. But it is there! Stop denying that Christ is the Son of God and accept Him as your Savior and you will see the world from a completely different perspective. Sin is all around us and we are allowing the evil one to take over more control. God may be opening the curtain so we can see what Hell is really like.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families who have lost their precious loved ones.

You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before. Rahm Emanuel

We had Y2K when everyone believed computers would not work in 2000.  Harold Camping told us the end would happen on May 21 and then October 21, 2011.  America, as we know it, will not be the same if we go over the fiscal cliff at the end of this month.  We are now approaching December 21, 2012 when the Mayan and the Hopi Elders predicted the end would come.  The East and West Coast will be flooded because of global warming.

You may have read where a number are taking this prediction very serious.  Thousands of people in the Netherlands are preparing for that day by accumulating emergency supplies.  It has been circulating on the Internet, in books and in the past a motion picture.  Rumor has it that the government is actually preparing secret underground bunkers.

What we think about the end and eternity will determine how we live our lives today.  Are we preparing for Jesus’ return or are we living as if there will never be an end?  Prophets in the Old Testament told us about Christ’s first coming and it turned out exactly as predicted.  Are the predictions in the New Testament something we can believe in?

II Peter 3:10 – 12 – “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”

Revelation 6:12 – 14 – “There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”

When I see what is going on in Washington, D.C. it reminds me of what God said to Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 9:4 – 6 – “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth.  With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.  They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord.”  Verse 9 – “’Should I not punish them for this?’ says the Lord. ‘Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?’”  NLT

II Timothy 3:1 – 5 – “You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

It sure looks like we are living in the end times.  For those of us who have lived as long as I have certainly seen the U.S., in particular and the world in general, fit the description described in Scripture.

Be aware that people are using the world ending and the fiscal crisis as a means of deceiving and manipulating people.  I am amazed at those being interviewed on the street how little they know about our government and the world in general.  They are so easily led astray.  Read and study your Bible and place your trust in what it says rather than what some leader might try to get you to believe.

Is there any place in the Bible that warns us against climate change caused by man?  It takes a crisis to get our attention and when we have a storm like Sandy in New York and New Jersey they want us to accept passing laws against carbon omission so they can tax us more.

Most of us know the difference between knowledge and wisdom but let me briefly give somewhat of a definition: Knowledge is obtaining information from education or studying data that provides answers to many questions.  It is used in making decisions and judgments.  Wisdom is sort of a sixth sense or special insight that comes from one’s previous experiences or from God.  I like to think that what wisdom I have is a result of Biblical study and is God-given.  That doesn’t mean all of my decisions and judgments are correct but they are made with the right attitude and moral motives.

I have had Christians tell me that they have accumulated a lot of knowledge through college and education but they feel lacking in wisdom.  I believe wisdom is realizing that God has given us a tremendous advantage as follows:

• Hebrews 4:5 – The Holy Spirit was given to testify that Christ came to give us a New Covenant and told us God would put His laws in our hearts and write them on our minds and our sins and lawless acts would be remembered no more.
• Luke 11:13 – God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
• Hebrews 2:4 – The Holy Spirit will give us signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts.  If we have seriously surrendered our lives to Christ the Holy Spirit will make us aware that He is with us.
• II Timothy 1:13 & 14 – The Holy Spirit will help you live a holy life by giving you faith and love in Christ Jesus.
• Luke 12:12 – The Holy Spirit will tell us what to say.
• Acts 1:8 – We shall receive power from the Holy Spirit.
• John 14:26 – The counselor, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of what Jesus taught.
• Acts 13:12 – The Holy Spirit will speak to our spirit and give us directions and where to go.
• Acts 20:23 – The Holy Spirit will warn us of potential problems.
• Galatians 5:22 & 23 – The Holy Spirit will give us joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If a believer in Christ, who has received the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t one have the wisdom to make better decisions and judgments?  What if a Christian knows they have received the Holy Spirit yet fail to feel they have received the gifts of the Spirit or the wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives us?

Often two problems exist: they feel unworthy that God loves them and the Holy Spirit is there to help or they have a problem overcoming their carnal, worldly nature who wants to do things the world’s way rather than God’s way.  Thus, blocking the gifts of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22 which is a basis for obtaining true wisdom.

When a person lives the life of the Spirit, an individual is truly different.  The fruit as described above is an outward expression of Christ living inside that person. God can be everywhere.  Yes, He can be in your life with you every day as the Holy Spirit.  Everyone having the Holy Spirit can and should receive these fruits that God can give to us.  The fruits of the Spirit don’t seem to grow adequately unless we are willing to die out to our self-centered worldly nature. That means surrendering our negative pride.  The pride that says I don’t need any help I can do it on my own. This is difficult for many people as repenting or changing life’s direction can be a struggle also.  Old habits are often difficult to break.  Changing one’s previous worldly comfort zone is like dieting to an obese person.  Dying out to our negative pride and our old nature is not easy and requires surrendering that people with strong, controlling personality find difficult to give up and give in to living by Christ’s ways.

It may start with a trust factor in not believing God really has a purpose or plan for them.  To fulfill that purpose usually requires a change in thinking, a renewing of one’s mind that is open to new Christian concepts.  A person unwilling to give up their pride and change direction may block the working of the Holy Spirit.  Christ will allow a believer moral agency to make their own choices and usually will not overrule that decision. Choices we make without the Holy Spirit’s guidance may not come from heavenly wisdom but from one’s knowledge.

I believe learning to love God and others is fundamental to obtaining heavenly wisdom.  Unconditional love only comes from God’s example and the Holy Spirit.  The Bible says we must have no hate in our heart or an unwillingness to forgive others.  Otherwise, a believer blocks the Holy Spirit from working in their life.  You may have more knowledge than most genius but if there is hate and unforgiveness in your heart you will lack heavenly wisdom according to Scripture.

Joy occurs when we have confidence in our relationship with Christ and we are living to please Him as difficult as that might be.  We can’t make continual joy happen. It comes from our obedience to Christ and is brought by the Holy Spirit.  Joy emphasizes our witness as Christians making us stronger and joy produces energy.

Continual peace comes only from God’s assurances and promises.  Otherwise peace usually is temporarily.  Once we learn to love God and others and have the right heart, (no hate or unforgiveness) peace results.  Peace knows nothing can separate us from the love of God.  (Romans 8:38 & 39)

We must have patience with others, which means we don’t have to get over a lack of patience waiting in line.  Love is patient and kind.  Selfishness normally causes confrontations.  Ask if we want God to be patient with us?

It is hard for many to give up their negative pride and self-control.  We must be willing to submit all aspects of life to God daily.  That may mean prior to making any decision or judgment one might ask the Holy Spirit:  “Is this what I must say or do?”  That doesn’t mean we fall to our knees and pray.  It may simply be taking time to question the consequence of what we decide to do.  It is recognizing the Holy Spirit and asking for wisdom and direction.

As the fruits of the Spirit increase, you will be able to acknowledge a heavenly wisdom that will make life joyful and peaceful. Once you have joy and peace in your heart, you will find being kind, gentle and faithful resulting.   That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue getting as much knowledge as we can.  Success is a result, most times, from proper preparation.   We need both!